Health
Heat in summer: how to protect your dog
Dogs barely sweat – how to avoid overheating and recognise heatstroke in good time.
Dogs can barely sweat: they regulate their temperature almost entirely by panting. That's why heat troubles them considerably more than us – especially short-nosed breeds and older, overweight and heart-diseased dogs. On hot days, move walks to the early morning and late evening and stay in the shade or indoors at midday.
Think of the paws: in the sun, asphalt heats up to over 50 degrees. The simple test – hold the back of your hand on the ground for five seconds. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your dog's paws too. Always provide fresh water out and about and at home; shady spots, cooling mats or a shallow paddling pool offer a way to cool off.
In summer, NEVER leave your dog behind in the car – not even 'just briefly' and not even with the window open. Even at an outside temperature of 20 degrees, the interior becomes life-threateningly hot within minutes. If you see a dog in an overheated car, alert the police.