How to keep your dog safe in the heat this sizzling August Bank Holiday weekend

DAVID Kent was convicted of animal cruelty this week after leaving his cockapoo in a hot car for two hours. But a Paws & Claws survey has found one in ten dog owners admit doing the exact the same thing. Kent, a retired college lecturer once honoured by the Queen for community service, claimed he […]

DAVID Kent was convicted of animal cruelty this week after leaving his cockapoo in a hot car for two hours.

But a Paws & Claws survey has found one in ten dog owners admit doing the exact the same thing.

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Kent, a retired college lecturer once honoured by the Queen for community service, claimed he left water for the dog, and a window open.

But Stockport magistrates heard there was an empty bowl in the car and the window was open just one inch despite the 20C temperature.

In our poll, carried out by Petplan, one 21 per cent of dog owners admit to their pet having suffered heatstroke.

Twenty-eight per cent confess to not knowing how much water their pets need in summer and 36 per cent wouldn’t know what to do if they had heatstroke. But 78 per cent said they would intervene if they saw a pet left in a car on a hot day.

With this weekend’s sizzling August Bank Holiday weather, the RSPCA fears more dogs will suffer.

Last year the group received 8,290 calls regarding animals with heat exhaustion. Ninety per cent of these were alerts to dogs in hot cars.

FLAT-FACED BREEDS

The reports have continued this year — and during the hot Easter weekend 166 people called to report a dog being left in a car.

When temperatures outside are 22C, it can take less than an HOUR for a car interior to reach a deadly 47C.

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Flat-faced breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Shih Tzus are more likely to experience heatstroke. They can’t cool down as effectively from panting as can dogs with a longer nose.

Obese dogs, those with thick coats, dogs that are dressed up, very young pets and those with existing breathing problems are also at higher risk.

Paws & Claws vet Sean McCormack said: “Leaving your dog in a hot car is a recipe for disaster. Parked cars can heat up like a greenhouse. Dogs lose heat by panting, so if there is little airflow and the temperature rises quickly, they struggle to cool down. Cracking the window isn’t enough and the stress of overheating can add to their panicked panting, causing them to overheat even further.

“I’ve seen tragic situations that could have been prevented by leaving the dog at home or taking them with you when leaving the car.”

Here are Sean’s tips on how to keep your dog safe in the heat:

• Cool them down: Don’t soak an overheating animal with cold water. Put wet towels on the floor and let your dog lie on them.
• Check the temperature: Put your hand on the pavement for ten seconds. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog.
• Hydration: To keep them hydrated, add water to their food or give them frozen treats such as banana.
• Shade: Take your dog for a walk in the woods, where it will be cooler. Avoid the midday sun.
• Pet-safe sun cream: Put on exposed areas but check it doesn’t contain zinc oxide, which is toxic for dogs.

Pet Vet

Sean McCormack, of the tailored food firm tails.com

PAUL Jones, from Plymouth, has a Patterdale Terrier called Pinkie. He writes: “Pinkie stinks all the time as he likes rolling in fox poo. How often should I wash him? Should I use shampoo or am I best to take him to a groomers?”

Sean says: Dogs love to roll in fox poo as they find the smell really stimulating. Some say they want to put their own scent where the fox has toileted, or others say it’s an ancient instinct to mask their own smell.

In any case, it stinks!

Washing Pinkie with a mild dog shampoo whenever this happens won’t do any harm. There are even some products designed especially to remove that pungent fox poo odour.

TREVOR Pinnock, from Sunderland, has a collie called Sam. He writes: “Sam is nine and he’s started cocking his leg wherever we go – inside the pub, at friends’ houses. He has just started doing it, no reason. Can you help?”

Sean says: You don’t say if Sam is neutered. But this can impact male dogs cocking their legs out of character. Un-neutered (also known as entire or intact) male dogs may be more likely to mark with urine for territorial reasons.

Perhaps there was a recent incident where Sam was frightened or had a conflict with another male dog, so is marking with urine for status reasons?

Older, intact male dogs can also develop prostate problems meaning they need to urinate more frequently or urgently and lose their house training as a result.

In any dog regardless of sex or neutering status, an infection or other urinary issues can lead to sudden changes in urination behaviour like Sam shows. A good start would be to take a urine sample to the vet with Sam to rule out medical reasons.

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