Is it safe to walk your dog in hot weather? Here are the risks pets face in California heat wave

Owners are advised to keep their pets indoors with plenty of cold water as another excessive heat warning is issued for Northern California and across the West Coast until 11 p.m. Sunday.

There were 59 heat-related deaths of companion animals recorded nationwide this year, according to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, with a total of 115 heat-related animal deaths since 2022. The biggest threat to dogs is leaving them in hot cars, according to the Best Friends Animal Society, even with the windows rolled down.

Unlike humans, dogs and cats are unable to perspire and can quickly overheat if left in high temperature conditions.

“Heat stroke can occur when an animal’s temperature rises to a critical level,” Dr. Erin Katribe, medical director of Best Friends Animal Society, said in a news release. “Normal body temperatures for dogs and cats range from 100 to 102.5 degrees. When a dog’s temperature rises to 108 degrees, or to 106 degrees for a cat, they can suffer irreparable organ damage, or worse.”

How to avoid heat-related illnesses in pets

Dogs and cats should never be left in a car when temperatures are over 70 degrees.

“If they’re inside a car, recycling hot air, panting gives no relief, and heat stroke can occur quickly,” Best Friends Animal Society wrote in a release. “Many studies show that the temperature inside a car on a 70 -degree day can rise to 89 degrees in ten minutes, and to 104 degrees in as little as a half hour.”

The best advice is to simply leave dogs and cats at home with plenty of air conditioning and cold water. When taking a dog out for exercise, the best time is in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are coolest, then keeping pets indoors during the hottest parts of the day.

Before setting out, owners should test the temperature of the pavement by holding their palm against it for three seconds. During days when the weather is 95 degrees, concrete exposed to sunlight can reach 125 degrees, with blacktop surfaces scorching at around 140 degrees, according to data from the University of Georgia.

Packed dirt and sand can also reach dangerously high temps hot enough to burn animal’s padded feet.

For dogs that are trained to use the bathroom outdoors, owners should make sure there is plenty of shade available and limit the amount of time their dog spends outside. Even when inside, dogs should be provided cold water — no matter how thirsty they are, dogs will refuse hot or even lukewarm water, according to the Best Friends Animal Society press release.

Animals with thin to no fur or bald spots should be covered in sunscreen when taken outside, but owners should consult their veterinarian first.

Which animals are more susceptible to extreme heat?

Dogs with pushed-in noses, thick fur coats, excessive weight or older in age are the most susceptible to overheating. With few sweat glands in their paws, dogs regulate their body temperatures mostly through panting, which can be difficult for dogs with restricted airways, according to the Veterinary Centers of America Animal Hospital.

Signs of a heatstroke, or also known as hyperthermia, include:

• Elevated panting
• Dry or sticky gums
• Abnormal gum color
• Bruising in gums
• Lethargic or disoriented appearance
• Seizures

“Signs of heat stroke include heavy panting that does not resolve as the pet rests, increasing distress, a tongue color that is dark red to almost purple, weakness or collapse, hyper-salivation, vomiting and labored breathing,” according to Dr. Katribe in the Best Friends Animal Society news release.

If an owner suspects their dog or cat is showing signs of heat stroke, they should immediately move the animal to a colder environment “and apply cool water to the abdomen, ears, and footpads,” according to Dr. Katribe. As soon as the pet is stable, the owner should bring them to the nearest veterinary clinic for possible internal damages.

For further advice on how to avoid heat-related illnesses in dogs or cats, owners can find more information through Best Friends Animal Society’s webpage, or consult their local veterinarian.

This story was originally published July 15, 2023 at 3:57 PM.