Keep your pet safe from heat exhaustion

I have an English Bulldog who, like other snub-nosed breeds, has a really hard time in extreme temperatures. In the winter, he'll ask to go outside and then do a moonwalk away from the open door when he feels the bitter cold. In summer, he goes outside for a little while and opts for the shade of the carport when he can. More often than not, he chooses to stay in my temperature-controlled home and just survey the neighborhood from his perch on the back of my couch. (He's a bit of a pampered pet.) While I sometimes wish he were a bit more energetic, I know that heat can actually be dangerous for him so I have to be careful. We take our walks in the early morning or evening to avoid the hot sun of the afternoon. If, like me, you have a snub-nosed breed (bulldog, shih tzu, pug, Boston terrier, etc.), if your dog has a heavy coat, or if your dog is getting up in years, it's important to take steps to avoid heat exhaustion when exercising them in the summer sun.

This article offers some suggestions for exercising your pet in hot weather. If you normally jog or walk with your dog in the afternoon, consider changing your schedule to the morning or evening when the sun isn't at its hottest. Carry a water bottle and perhaps a collapsible dog bowl with you to keep your pet hydrated. If you notice your pet panting excessively, wet their tongue, ears, and extremities, then their whole body and seek shade immediately. (Better yet, get them indoors or to a vet's office.) For more tips on safely exercising with your pet, see this post by Bethany.