If you’re the proud owner of a new puppy, it’s important to be aware of how sensitive your new companion is to extreme heat. Take the following steps to help keep your puppy safe in high temperatures.
Very few pet owners realize the tremendous impact that the heat can have on young puppies. It’s easy to think about dogs as creatures of the wild, who are therefore more capable of surviving the hot summer days than most humans. However, this assumption is not only incorrect – it could be deadly. You may be wondering why so many people leave their puppies outside if it’s so wrong, but the answer isn’t a simple one. There are a number of different factors that can come together to make the heat dangerous for your puppy.
The primary reason that leaving dogs unprotected in the heat is dangerous is that the dogs we have in our homes today have been domesticated for many centuries and therefore aren’t as capable of instinctually knowing how to survive in intense heat. One of the most common problems that over-heated dogs have is adequately controlling their body temperatures. As humans, when we get hot, we sweat out the heat and this allows our bodies to regulate themselves. However, puppies don’t sweat, and since their normal body temperatures are over 100o F, it doesn’t take as much for them to suffer from heat stroke if they remain in the unprotected heat too long.
This problem can be doubly intense for a younger puppy, as they may not be able to tell when they’ve had too much activity and are suffering from it because of the intense heat. This overexertion can trigger a series of physiological responses that can eventually lead to heat-related illnesses – even if the puppy has an adequate supply of water and shade. If you aren’t around when this happens, it can even be fatal for the dog since many people don’t catch the symptoms of heat stroke or other heat related illnesses early enough.
Finally, a puppy should not be left out in the heat because even if they don’t receive a fatal injury, the heat can cause a number of problems with fly-borne illnesses as well. In the heat, flies search for the perfect spot in which to lay their eggs. If your puppy has even a tiny skin sore or lesion and stays outside with the flies for an extended period of time, you could very well be facing a maggot infestation on your puppy’s skin. These types of infections are often difficult and costly to treat – and they happen far more than an average person might realize.
If you have a new puppy and are feeling tempted to leave him or her outside in the heat, try to remember what could happen as a result of these actions. Instead, take the time to crate train your new puppy. Crate training is a great way to moderate your puppy’s actions by keeping him or her contained when you aren’t in the room. This way, they aren’t likely to terrorize your home while you’re away, and you’ll have the safety of mind knowing that your puppy is safe in the climate-controlled conditions of your house.
