#heat wise

GALTx eNews: Be Heat Wise And Hound Smart!

It’s a big deal for our pups when the weather gets hot and we need to look out for them. In fact, it’s gotten so hot so quickly in Dallas that our delivery of Greyhounds from Ireland is on hold. The airline won’t let them fly when the destination temperature is expected to be over 85 degrees! Here are some things you should keep in mind when your weather is hot:

1. Only exercise your greyhound when the temperature is under 80 degrees. Shoot for the cooler morning or evening hours. Keep your walks short and walk where there is plenty of shade. 

2. Make sure your pup always has access to plenty of fresh, clean water at home and on the go. Always take a bowl and a spare bottle of water with you. Cool water is best. Ice water can shock a dog’s system causing vomiting or other health concerns.

3. Pavement reaches dangerous temperatures quickly. If the air temperature is 77 degrees, expect the pavement to be 125 degrees in the sun, which is a temperature that can burn skin or paws in under a minute. At 87 degrees, the pavement reaches 143 in the sun! Before you make your dog walk on a paved surface, feel it with your hand for at least ten seconds. If it is uncomfortable for you, it will be uncomfortable for your dog.

4. Never leave your dog in a parked car! Cars heat up to about 100 degrees within 10 minutes when it is only 80 degrees outside. Leaving the windows cracked has surprisingly little effect on the temperature inside. You can test this yourself by sitting in your car on a sunny day with the windows cracked. It won’t be long until you want out.

5. When your hound is home alone, make sure they are inside with the air conditioning on. Fans are less effective for dogs than humans because dogs cool primarily by panting rather than sweating.

6. Always be diligent in watching for heatstroke. Signs include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, and a deep red/purple tongue. If you see any of these signs, seek veterinarian assistance immediately.

We hope you all have a safe and fun summer!

5/12/2022