When summer arrives, and the increasingly frequent heat waves, we often see how our dogs and cats seek the coolest part of the house or walk with their tongues hanging out without having made a great physical effort. Dogs and cats manifest the heat they feel differently from humans, and although they have their own mechanisms to try to cope with it, all pet parents should know what the effects of high temperatures can be on their health, what situations to avoid and how we can prevent them from suffering from the dreaded heat strokes.
Like us, dogs and cats are homeotherms. What does this mean? That your body has the ability to maintain an internal body temperature that is within a specific temperature range. In both, that temperature range oscillates between 37.5 and 39.5 ºC, but if it is very hot, your body will start mechanisms to regulate it. Contrary to what we might think because they are homeotherms, dogs and cats do not regulate temperature in the same way that we do. Hence, we must know how your body works in hot conditions and be vigilant.
In episodes of high temperatures, we sweat through the sweat glands that we have distributed throughout our body, and that sweat evaporates, dissipating heat and helping us maintain our body temperature. However, dogs and cats have much fewer glands and are very localized -for example, on their paws-, so they sweat in a very limited way and require other strategies to regulate their temperature, such as panting.
Panting allows moisture to evaporate from the tongue exposed to the environment to release that excessive heat and acclimatize. It is also common to see them stretched out in cool places, since they can transfer heat to the ground by direct contact. Although cats also pant in very hot conditions, they are more likely to lick themselves to cool down.
When a dog is unable to regulate its body temperature and it rises above normal, symptoms of heat stroke may appear. Dogs affected by this veterinary emergency can reach temperatures of up to 41ºC and suffer symptoms such as vomiting, weakness, lack of balance and neurological alterations. If our dog presents these signs, we must act quickly. First, quickly get him out of the hot environment in which he is and gradually lower the temperature (not suddenly, as it can be harmful), bathing him with cool water (not ice cold). Many times this is not enough and it is necessary to apply intravenous medication, so it is very important to always go to the vet as soon as possible.
As the experts warn, in summer there are many cases of heat stroke in dogs with a flat nose (brachycephalic) such as the English Bulldog, the French Bulldog or the Pug. The anatomy of their face generally makes their breathing more labored and makes it harder for them to thermoregulate. In addition, other conditions such as being older, overweight or obese, or cardiovascular problems, will make them more sensitive to heat, as well as a dark coat, which will heat up more when exposed to the sun, in the same way that it happens to us when We wear a black T-shirt to the beach.
And it is that the arrival of summer must bring with it an adaptation of habits to their needs. Avoid exposing them to high temperatures, especially for walks and outings outside the home. It is always advisable to walk first thing in the morning and late in the afternoon and go to shady areas, since contact with very hot surfaces such as asphalt can damage the pads. A tip to know if the ground may be too hot is to apply the five-second rule, which consists of placing the back of our hand on the asphalt and checking if we can last that long without burning. If we cannot hold out for five seconds, it means that the asphalt is not at a suitable temperature for our dog's pads. We must also take into account the intensity of the exercise, especially in those dogs that we have mentioned with a special sensitivity to heat.
Also, direct and prolonged exposure to the sun's rays can cause burns to your skin. In these cases, there are sunscreens that can be applied to prevent them.
In addition, it is essential to maintain good hydration, having fresh and clean water available at all times, both at home and during walks. If our dog is panting a lot, it is advisable to cool him down by wetting him in the area of the head, neck, trunk and belly, to help him lower his body temperature. You can also resort to refreshing products such as special toys with a cold effect, offer a cooling mat to lie on or shelter in the shade if we are walking.
Of course, it goes without saying that we should never leave our dog or cat in a car when there are high temperatures outside, since the heat inside a vehicle multiplies.
Faced with heat and direct exposure to the sun, the color of the cat's hair will play a key role in the same way that it happens with dogs. While cats with darker or black hair will have a greater absorption of light, seeing their body temperature increased, those with light hair will suffer more from the consequences on their skin, such as burns, for example. Keep in mind that in cats, daily brushing in summer is essential, especially in those with long hair, since it will allow the hair that has fallen out to be removed and they will be cooler.
Like older dogs, older cats will be more susceptible to changes in their body temperature in the heat, since their ability to thermoregulate is not the same as when they were younger. Similarly, if they have obesity or cardiovascular problems, or a different facial complexion with a much shorter muzzle, such as the Persian and Exotic, they may have difficulty fighting the heat.
If our cat is indoors, that is, it is always inside the house, it may already enjoy a pleasant temperature if we have a refrigeration system. But if this is not the case, it is important to provide him with shaded, cooler places where he can take shelter, as well as having fresh and clean water available throughout the day in various points of the house, to encourage him to drink and maintain a good hydration. If your cat is one of those who has trouble drinking water, but when you turn on a faucet at home, she comes over and drinks, providing her with a running water source may be the key to stimulating her urge to drink. Wet food will also provide extra hydration.
If you see a cat panting, do not be surprised, cats also pant to regulate their temperature, but that means that it is very hot. In these circumstances, although some cats are not in favor of being wet, passing a damp towel over the areas where they have less hair, such as the armpits, legs, belly or chin, will help them cool down and prevent a stroke. heat.
You should bear in mind that a cat that is suffering from heat stroke will present symptoms similar to those described in dogs, such as weakness and apathy, vomiting and diarrhea, and lack of balance. Remember that heat stroke can be lethal and it is a veterinary emergency, since it may require treatment for its recovery, so a quick response will be key.
In short, avoiding excessive sun exposure so that your body does not suffer from the heat, going outside when the temperatures are not so high and keeping them hydrated are some of the keys to taking care of our dogs and cats during the summer. Preventing, supervising and adapting routines to their needs will make us responsible pet parents so that they too can enjoy happy holidays.
