Extreme Weather - Climate Worries
In a world where the most popular topic of the moment is Climate Change, I thought it time to consider our beloved furry friends and how they cope with differing climates. They have to contend with the changing seasons and extreme conditions just like we do, but they don’t have the luxury of being able to control the AC or the heater so we need to be a little more considerate when we control them on their behalf.
As I sit here typing in Dubai where the temperature is approaching 30 degrees centigrade, my parents are contending with snow and ice in England. Each location brings its own trials and tribulations.
Some easy things to remember:
5 Second Rule - if it is too hot/cold for you to leave your bare hand on the floor for 5 seconds or more, then it is too hot/cold to walk your dog without some form of protection.
Cleaning Paws - when you come back from a snowy or sandy walk, always wipe their paws. This removes excess snow or sand that can cause irritation or discomfort. It can also remove seeds that can become embedded in the pads and cause expensive vet bills
Time of Walk-in hot countries, avoid the hottest times of the day and walk before dawn or after dusk when summer hits. In colder climes, try to walk when the wind drops or when the sun is at its height
Accessories - Drying coats and dog boots are both useful accessories for extreme weather walking with our dogs. I can recommend Ruff and Tumble coats (I have no affiliation with the company, I am just a very satisfied customer!) https://ruffandtumbledogcoats.com
Hypothermia in dogs is just as dangerous as it is in humans and should not be underestimated. Your dog may have a fur coat, but that does not mean it can keep warm in all temperatures. Also once the fur is wet from a bath or a rainstorm, it needs to be completely dry before it can start to keep them warm again. So for those who remember “don’t go out with wet hair”, the same applies to dogs. If your dog is suffering from hypothermia, then do not try to heat them up too fast as this could send them into a fatal shock. Wrap them in blankets and get them to the vets as soon as possible.
Overheating or hyperthermia in dogs is often fatal and can come on very quickly even on days that don’t seem too warm for us humans. Imagine walking on a dry warm day in a full fur coat and the only way to cool down is to stick your tongue out! As with most things, prevention is better than cure. If, however, you have a dog suffering from overheating then give them sips of room-temperature water and try to reduce their body temperature very slowly by dribbling water on their extremities. If you cool them down too quickly, they will go into immediate shock and this could end up worse. Once you think the dog is stabilised, get them to the nearest vet as quickly as possible.
We all know we need to be helping prevent further climate change and even the smallest change done by multiple people can have an impact. Please take a moment to consider how climate change affects our animals and our wildlife - humans can adapt, but we need our animals to be safe.
