Hot Dogs: Warning to pet owners as research reveals tarmac can reach 50°C

• Admiral Pet Insurance has teamed up with PawSquad to remind owners of the key symptoms of overheating, and the measures owners can take to keep their dogs safe in the summer
• Veterinary consultation service, PawSquad reveals a rise in calls over the summer - with high numbers of queries for blisters, difficulty walking and extreme panting
• Owners are encouraged to check the surfaces their dogs are exercising on, as research from the University of Leicester reveals tarmac temperature can be more than double air temperature - reaching 50°C
• Veterinary Specialist, Nicki Fox RVN CertVNECC, from Admiral Pet Insurance reveals the best ways to keep your canines cool
• Health, age and breed should be considered when deciding if your pet is safe in the sun - and avoid walking dogs outside in temperatures over 21°C

With July typically being the hottest month of the year, and the UK already seeing temperatures of over 30°C in June, Admiral Pet Insurance has teamed up with vet service PawSquad to remind dog owners of the key signs of overheating this summer - and how best to keep their furry friends cool.

PawSquad data shows a rise in calls from dog owners over the summer, with many queries relating to heatstroke including blisters, difficulty walking and extreme panting. 

To reduce the risk of dogs suffering from heatstroke and other heat-related issues, Admiral and PawSquad are urging Brits to consider where and when they walk their pets – as ground surfaces reach much hotter temperatures than the air temperature on hot days. Research conducted by the University of Leicester, in partnership with Admiral Insurance, found that the surface temperature of tarmac is much higher than the air temperature reaching 50°C - more than double the air temperature.

It's not just the time and place of outdoor walks that owners need to be mindful of. The surface temperature of artificial grass - favoured by 1 in 10 UK households - can reach as high as 48°C4. If you’re concerned about your pets’ paws, it’s recommended that dog owners cool down the temperature of artificial grass in their garden by spraying it with water on hot days. 

Spotting the symptoms:

Admiral has devised an acronym for detecting key heatstroke symptoms:

• Heavy panting and / or breathing distress
• Only urinating in small amounts
• Tremors
• Drooling, dizziness or diarrhoea
• Overtiredness and / or agitation 
• Gums that are red or very pale

Veterinary surgeon Dr Mark Boddy, CEO of PawSquad shares advice on how best to help your dog, if they’re overheating:

“If you suspect heatstroke, move your pet to a cooler area, offer them a drink of water, and use cool water to dampen their body. Fan them gently.

“Don’t cool your dog too quickly by putting them in freezing cold water as this can actually have an adverse effect. You could try using a wet towel to cool your dog, which is fine for short periods. However, the towel mustn’t be left on too long as the dog will heat up underneath.

“As a dog’s body temperature slowly rises, it causes damage to the tissues and organs. In severe cases, heatstroke can cause their organs to fail which leads to death. Even if your pet seems better, seek veterinary care promptly to ensure there are no underlying issues.

“By being proactive and attentive, you can spare your pet from the dangers of heatstroke. Your furry friend's well-being is worth every precaution.”

Tips for preventing hot-dogs:

There are preventive measures that can be taken by dog owners to keep their pets safe. Below Nicki Fox RVN CertVNECC, Admiral’s Veterinary Specialist, shares her top tips for this summer:

1. Familiarise yourself with the signs of heatstroke, such as heavy panting and difficulty breathing, drooling, lethargy, vomiting and collapse.
2. Plan ahead with your walk. Don't venture too far from home, and ensure you walk in the shade and on grass where possible and stay within easy reach of water.
3. Avoid walking during the hottest parts of the day - try to go out before 8am and after 8pm during particularly hot spells of weather.
4. Take it easy – According to research by The Kennel Club, over-exercising or exercising your dog on hot days accounts for around 75% of heatstroke cases. Other common causes include not being able to cope in hot weather (around 13% of cases), being in a hot vehicle (around 5%) and being in a hot building (around 3%).
5. Take water with you – for you and your dog!
6. Have your phone on you - (fully charged) in case of emergencies.
7. Consider attaching a lead to a harness rather than to their collar - leads that pull on a collar can press on their airways and stop them from cooling down as effectively.
8. Remember: Dogs don't sweat like people do - they have small sweat glands on the pads of their paws, but this doesn't make a great deal of difference when they try to cool down. You may notice them panting. This is another dog cooling technique that can work but is not hugely effective. Dogs are not efficient creatures when it comes to cooling down.
9. All dogs are different - a dog’s reaction to heat is largely variable by things like age, breed and existing health conditions. 
10. Constantly monitor, risk assess and if in doubt, slow down, go home.
11. The bigger the dog could mean the bigger the risk - Dr Mark adds that the risk of overheating is much higher for larger breeds. You may need to consider the difficulty of getting larger breeds back to your home or car in warmer temperatures. PawSquad advises large dog owners to use caution when it comes to dog walking once it hits 21°C, with this warning for medium and small dog breeds being advised at 23°C. 

Pritpal Powar, Head of Admiral Pet Insurance said: “While we naturally want to enjoy the sun with our dogs, we always need to have the potential impact of the temperature at the forefront of our minds - and not just when we’re taking them in the car, but also on walks and even playing or lounging in the garden. 

With a good understanding of how different surfaces can affect our dogs and how different breeds and sizes are impacted by the heat, we can still enjoy the warm weather if we take precautions.
 

“Services like PawSquad, which is available for free to our customers, offer dog owners peace of mind if the worst does happen. Additionally, if your pet is unwell as a result of the sun and needs a trip to the vet, having insurance means you’ll have fewer things to worry about so you can focus on helping your pet when they need you the most.”

PawSquad, monitored by UK registered vets, offers 24/7 advice for pet owners, with the option to communicate via audio, video and text. Find out more atPawSquad.com, or get the PawSquad app on Apple and Android.