Every little helps for the doggos
Despite being common sense not to leave your dog in a car when temperatures soar, many people still end up doing it. But, the RSPCA and Tesco have teamed up to tackle the issue with the UK in the midst of a heatwave.
It's getting hot hot hot 🔥🌞🔥🌞🔥.. Remember dog suffer in the heat, don't leave them in cars and check pavement temperature before walks 🐶🐕 #HeatWave2021 pic.twitter.com/bopBOOnUo8
— St.Helier Town Police Unit (@townpoliceunit) July 18, 2021
Tesco staff are patrolling the car parks in search of dogs that have been left in the car by their owners. When temperatures hit above 20C, dogs only have a 50/50 chance of survival if they catch heatstroke. As you can imagine, the survival rate dramatically decreases with each rise in temperature.
The RSPCA said:
“A car can become as hot as an oven very quickly, even when it doesn’t feel that warm.
“When it’s 22 degrees, in a car, it can reach an unbearable 47 degrees within the hour.”
Signs of heatstroke within dogs are actually pretty similar to that of humans. Heavy panting and excessive drooling are the first signs of dramatic dehydration. The dog will also be lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated, and could collapse if not attended. In extreme circumstances, the dog can vomit.
Tips to safe during this #heatwave:
1. Avoid walks in the midday sun
2. Provide plenty of fresh drinking water
3. Make sure your pet has cool shaded areas
4. Never leave your dog in the car unattended pic.twitter.com/HaCaIqBsbH— White Cross Vets (@WhiteCrossVets) July 18, 2021
In similar news, the Blue Cross has advised checking the temperature of the pavement before taking your dog for a walk. A dog’s paws can be very sensitive, and one poor doggo had horrendously burnt paw pads after being walked on the pavement.
“Dogs can suffer fatal heatstroke within minutes. Unlike humans, dogs can’t sweat through their skin, and so they rely on panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and nose to regulate their body temperature and keep cool. Imagine wearing a thick winter coat on a hot summer’s day, and you’ll understand why dogs succumb to heatstroke so easily,” The Blue Cross write on their website.
Phew, it's hot. I'm gently basting 😂
Joking aside, heat can be a killer for dogs (and other pets). Please keep them safe, indoors, in shade. Use a fan, wet towels/cool mat, make sure they have fresh water. NEVER leave them in a hot car, even for a 'couple of minutes'!#heatwave pic.twitter.com/NnT1pExb4C— Cheryl 💙 (@mertylturtle) July 18, 2021
The RSPCA advises people to dial 999 immediately if an animal stuck in a car is displaying symptoms
