Dog owners urged to keep eye on pets as Sask. bakes under extreme heat
Saskatoon SPCA says dog owners need to recognize the signs of heat stroke
Dog owners in Saskatchewan are being urged to keep an eye on their pets and recognize the signs of heat stroke.
The Saskatoon SPCA says heat stroke can come on quickly with the temperatures we are seeing this week.
Environment and Climate Change Canada is forecasting daytime highs above 30 C in most of Saskatchewan through at least Thursday.
Jemma Omidian, the manager of animal care and community engagement at the Saskatoon SPCA, said symptoms of heat stroke in dogs include excessive drooling and panting, dizziness and sluggishness.
Omidian said dog owners need to be prepared to intervene immediately.
"If they start acting really weird out of nowhere, that's your cue," she said. "Get them inside, cool them off and call your vet right away because that could save their life."
Omidian said heat stroke can cause some irreversible damage, and even death, very quickly.
She said this week's heat is a big concern because dogs like to be outside. But they can't be left outside all day. And walks should be shorter, during cooler parts of the day — and on grass, instead of pavement.
Dogs should also have plenty of fresh, cool water, she said.
But Omidian said the No. 1 rule is dogs can't be left in vehicles in this heat.
"Even if it's only 20 C outside, that temperature in the car will rise so quickly," she said.
"It doesn't matter if the windows are rolled down. It doesn't matter if you're parked in the shade. The temperature in the car will become dangerous very, very quickly."
She said if you're running errands around town and you want to bring your dog with you and you can't take your dog to all of the places you need to go, you should just leave your pet at home.
Bill Thorn, the director of marketing and public relations at the Regina Humane Society, said the society has received calls this week from people concerned with pets in vehicles or tied up in backyards in this heat.
Thorn said the society's officers investigate these types of complaints, adding people with concerns in Regina should contact the society or police.
"This is something that we struggle to understand, how it still happens with all the publicity that is out there. And not just from us, but from other places, as well," he said.
"We see it all the time where pets die because they're left in a hot vehicle. And it doesn't take much. It can be a lot cooler than the 30 C or so that we're experiencing right now."
Thorn is reminding pet owners that, under Saskatchewan's Animal Protection Act, they are obligated to ensure that their pets have adequate shelter and have access to food and water at all times.
He said situations like these can lead to charges against pet owners.
Meanwhile, Omidian, with the Saskatoon SPCA, has suggestions for dog owners who are finding their pets are a little stressed from being confined indoors more than usual.
She suggests giving dogs an "indoor enrichment activity," such as teaching them a new trick or giving them a frozen treat inside their favourite toy.