Dogs 101: How do I keep my dog safe in hot weather in Atlanta?

June 17, 8:03 AMAtlanta Dogs ExaminerSandy Weaver Carman

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    Taking a cooling rest during a hike - SWC photo

The dog days of summer aren't even here yet, but it's already very hot and sticky.  People are moving their outdoor workouts to the very early morning hours to avoid the heat and bad air, and that's what is needed for dogs, too.

Here are some things you need to know about dogs, heat and safety:

• Dogs and people are very different where heat stress is concerned.  Dogs don't lose a lot of electrolytes when exercising, as humans do, so special electrolyte water is probably a waste for dogs.  If a dog goes into heat stress or stroke, electrolyte replacement becomes necessary, but oral replacement won't work.  An intravenous line must be put in, and fluids and electrolytes run in that way.  
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• Make sure that your dog has access to a little bit of water after exercise, but don't allow him to gulp down a large amount until his breathing has returned to normal.  Anecdotally, too much water immediately after exercise has been linked to bloat.
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• Here in Georgia, where humidity is a daily summer issue, exercising with your dog is best done in the early morning hours.  Even then, if the humidity is high, panting may not allow for enough cooling.  Watch for the signs of heat stress, which include heavy panting, wide eyes, and staggering.  If you see any of this, stop exercising and start cooling your dog.
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• Cooling your dog is not hard, but needs to be done right.  Find shade and air conditioning if possible - this can be inside your moving car.  If that's not possible, then start dousing the dog with cool water.  Don't immerse the dog, as the coat will trap water near the skin and warm that water.  Pour cool water over the dog, paying special attention to the belly, groin and throat areas.  
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• If the dog is very overheated, rubbing alcohol will cool them faster, as it evaporates faster than water.  If there's any available, use it sparingly on the underside of the dog, keeping it away from sensitive tissues.  Don't just pour it on the dog as you would with water - a little bit, spread around and allowed to evaporate, is the best way to use alcohol.
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• Don't take your dog with you when they'll need to stay in the car in the summer.  Cars heat up inside quickly, getting 50 or more degrees hotter than the outside air, and death occurs very quickly.  So if you go to the Y to exercise on the outdoor track with your dog, and then plan to use the gym while your dog waits, bad plan.  Take the dog home first or leave the dog home.
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• Heat stress is an emergency for dogs.  If you feel your dog is hotter than normal and isn't recovering as quickly as usual, treat this as a medical emergency and get him to the vet.  Aggressive treatment started soon enough should help your furry friend recover quickly.  If you wait too long, it's possible that no treatment will work and your dog will die.  

Remember, you are the one with the big, overdeveloped brain.  Learn the signs of heat stress in your dog, watch for those signs, and act quickly when you see them.  In that way, you'll keep exercise fun for both of you.

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