Safety Tips to Protect Your Service Dog During Hot Summer Months
Whether you are looking forward to enjoying an evening under the stars, listening to a concert or taking a hike in a Westchester County Park, if you are a service dog handler, there are safety tips you should keep in mind to protect your canine and all pets during hot summer months.
Dogs can quickly develop heatstroke when the outdoor temperature and humidity overwhelms a dog’s normal cooling technique such as panting, a form of evaporative cooling.
Follow these tips below to prevent heatstroke in your animal:
- Never leave your dog in a hot car
- Adjust walking schedule for cooler parts of the day
- Don’t forget about your dog’s paws. Place the back of your hand on concrete; if you cannot leave it there for a minute without burning, it is too hot for your dog’s paws.
Your dog may be suffering from heatstroke if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:
- Hot skin
- Vomiting
- Panting
- Distress collapse
- Incoordination
- Loss of consciousness
At the first hint of heatstroke, take your dog to your local animal emergency room.
Below are events dog handlers should reconsider before taking their service animal along:
- Crowded and loud events that have firework displays
- Rock concerts
- Indoor sporting events
- Daytime events with high humidity and temperatures above 80 degrees