What temperature is too hot for dogs and when is heat…

What temperature is too hot for dogs and when is heat stroke risk increased

Things remain very warm outside as Scotland continues to experience an early summer heatwave.

And while many of us are enjoying some time outdoors in the sunshine, the heat can be dangerous for our beloved furry friends. Dogs are prone to heat stroke in warm weather, with the health issue becoming potentially fatal in some continues.

It means it is vital to make sure measures are taken to protect our four legged family members, keeping them cool and avoiding walks in soaring temperatures. But it can be difficult to understand what is safe and what is not. For example, how hot is too hot for dogs?

Thankfully, emergency vet Vets Now have shared some tips to help keep our K9s safe as temperatures remain high.

What temperature is too hot to walk dogs?

According to the experts, it is generally safe to walk dogs in temperatures up to 19°C (68°F). However, owners are urged to be careful when mercury rises above this level, with temperatures of 20°C (70°F) and above putting dogs at risk of heat stroke.

The Kennel Club has also warned owners to watch out, explaining that most dogs are "comfortable at temperatures between 15-25°C, but this is very much dependent on their age, breed, size, coat length, amount of exercise their engaging in, health and fitness".

They add that some dogs struggle in lower heat so it is key to keep an eye on your pet in the warmer months avoiding walks in peaks times, taking steps to cool them down if necessary.

What is heat stroke and what are the signs in dogs?

Heat stroke is essentially a high temperature that is not the result of a fever.

Heat stroke occurs in dogs who are no longer able to self-regular their temperature, so they are unable to keep it at a comfortable level. Dogs usually keep their body temperature between 37-39°C. Signs of heat stroke often start to show if internal temperatures reach 41°C.

The hotter a dog becomes and the longer their temperature remains high, the more dangerous the situation is as their tissues and organs become damaged.

All dogs can develop heat stroke but there are some who are more at risk.

For example, certain breeds of dogs fall into a higher risk category as well as dogs who are overweight, are flat faces, have thicker fur or have underlying health conditions such as breathing issues, according to the Kennel Club.