By Tracie Hotchner, The Dog Bible

Dogs can suffer from heatstroke easily: conditions that may not even be uncomfortable for you may be life threatening to your pooch. [Especially pets in Scottsdale, AZ where it is so hot!] Jogging with an owner on a hot day is defiantly dangerous: even going for a walk with him when it’s very hot can cause heatstroke. There are times when exposing a dog to direct sun through the window of a moving car even an air-conditioned one can be risky. There have been cases of small dogs actually dying in a car being driven by their owners in very hot, sunny conditions.

Dogs are susceptible to the effects of heat because their skin works differently than ours. We have many sweat glands and tiny capillaries in our skin, and the sweat we produce when we get overheated evaporates, which cools the blood in those capillaries. Dog skin has neither sweat glands nor blood-cooling capillaries.

Dogs cool themselves by panting, which allows cooler air into their lungs to dissipate their body heat. Blood vessels in the tough and mouth are cooled as the saliva evaporates. Panting is not an efficient cooling system, and a dog can easily enter the danger zone: the point at which he cannot cool himself down.

Ways to keep your dog cool in the heat:

1. Walk your dog in the cool of the day, preferably early in the morning. Even by the end of the day when the sun has gone down, the pavement is still very hot.
2. Stand on grass or shaded surfaces when outdoors with your dog: asphalt and concrete absorb heat and can burn footpads.
3. Always take along water and a bowl anytime you’re out and about with your dog, but especially in hot weather.
4. Don’t shave off all your dogs hair. You may think that fur is hotter, but a pets fur actually helps insulate him from the heat (and can help prevent sunburn). Try a puppy cut instead.
5. Fill a hard-sided plastic kiddie-pool with water: your dog(s) can use it to drink from and to walk or lie down to cool off, especially after walking or playing.
6. Leave your dog home when you run errands-your car turns into an oven in minutes. (Even when it is 70 out!!!)

Did you know???  Dogs body temperature should be 104F

This information has been provided to you by Danielle Vasta, Owner of Bella’s House & Pet Sitting. Please contact her at: (480)330-4552 or www.BellasHouseAndPets.com for any of your pet sitting needs!

By Tracie Hotchner, The Dog Bible

Dogs can suffer from heatstroke easily: conditions that may not even be uncomfortable for you may be life threatening to your pooch. Jogging with an owner on a hot day is defiantly dangerous: even going for a walk with him when it’s very hot can cause heatstroke. There are times when exposing a dog to direct sun through the window of a moving car even an air-conditioned one can be risky. There have been cases of small dogs actually dying in a car being driven by their owners in very hot, sunny conditions.

Dogs are susceptible to the effects of heat because their skin works differently than ours. We have many sweat glands and tiny capillaries in our skin, and the sweat we produce when we get overheated evaporates, which cools the blood in those capillaries. Dog skin has neither sweat glands nor blood-cooling capillaries.

Dogs cool themselves by panting, which allows cooler air into their lungs to dissipate their body heat. Blood vessels in the tough and mouth are cooled as the saliva evaporates. Panting is not an efficient cooling system, and a dog can easily enter the danger zone: the point at which he cannot cool himself down.

Ways to keep your dog cool in the heat:

1. Walk your dog in the cool of the day, preferably early in the morning. Even by the end of the day when the sun has gone down, the pavement is still very hot.
2. Stand on grass or shaded surfaces when outdoors with your dog: asphalt and concrete absorb heat and can burn footpads.
3. Always take along water and a bowl anytime you’re out and about with your dog, but especially in hot weather.
4. Don’t shave off all your dogs hair. You may think that fur is hotter, but a pets fur actually helps insulate him from the heat (and can help prevent sunburn). Try a puppy cut instead.
5. Fill a hard-sided plastic kiddie-pool with water: your dog(s) can use it to drink from and to walk or lie down to cool off, especially after walking or playing.
6. Leave your dog home when you run errands-your car turns into an oven in minutes. (Even when it is 70 out!!!)

 Did you know???  Dogs body temperature should be 104F

This information has been provided to you by Danielle Vasta, Owner of Bella’s House & Pet Sitting. Please contact her at: (480)330-4552 or www.BellasHouseAndPets.com for any of your pet sitting needs!