Dog trainer gives tips on how to keep pooch healthy during heatwaves

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As we enter the dog days of summer, knowing when to take Fido for a walk or a drive is important.

It can prove challenging to know when it’s safe to take your dog out for a stroll or a cruise in an enclosed vehicle, especially during a heatwave like the ones experienced by residents in the GTA.

While many dog breeds require regular exercise, for their own health and safety, owners will still want to avoid walking their pets when the temperatures are too high.

Tips for walking your pooch in the summertime can come in handy, like the ones compiled by certified Woofz dog trainer Karen Piwinski.

“When talking about what temperature is considered dangerous for a canine outside, it’s not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ situation,’” Piwinski explained, per people.com. “We must consider a range of factors that affect how hot your pet feels, including the dog’s breed, coat length and density, age and weight.”

Pet owners should also recognize “environmental factors,” she said, including “temperature of the pavement, the humidity level and the intensity of physical exercise to which you expose your furry friend.”

WHAT’S TOO HOT?

If the temps have reached 32C or more, pet owners should avoid walking outdoors entirely, opting instead to keep their dog in a ventilated indoor area.

If the outside temperature and the humidity combined are higher than 65C, it’s not safe.

The expert said that a 20-minute walk should be the maximum in temperatures between 27C and 29C.

SURFACE ADVICE

Not all walking surfaces are created equally in the heat.

Asphalt or concrete can burn the skin on canines’ paw pads in extreme heat, the dog trainer said.

Place your palm on the ground for about seven seconds. If the surface is too hot for you to handle, it’s also too hot for your pooch.

IDEAL TEMPS

A worry-free walk, temperature-wise, would be somewhere in the range of 7C and 18 C, Piwinski said.

SIGNS OF OVERHEATING

Warning signs that might indicate your dog is overheating include excessive panting and drooling, gums turning bright red, blue or drying out, vomiting, lethargy, or a rectal body temperature reaching more than 40 C.

A FEW TIPS

Try adjusting the timing of your walks to get out early in the morning before the hottest hours of the day, hit areas with grass or plenty of shade to protect your pet’s paws, bring plenty of water to fend off dehydration, and never leave your dog in an enclosed hot space without ventilation.