Dog days of summer: How to keep your furry friends safe from the season's warmest days

LEHIGH COUNTY, Pa. — On her afternoon walk, 5-year-old Evie, usually an energetic labradoodle, instead lethargically lay under a cover of shade.

No matter the amount of coaxing or gentle leash-pulling, Evie, a 50-pound pup, would not budge.

Her black fur was too thick. She simply was too tired.

And it simply was too hot.

Just like us, perhaps more so, dogs are susceptible to heat-related injuries and illnesses, especially on days when the heat index eclipses triple digits.

The National Weather Service said that will be true today, when it will be sunny, with a high near 95 degrees — and heat index up to 102 — giving us the fourth day under a heat advisory.

There will be a slight chance — 20% — of showers and thunderstorms tonight, before 1 a.m. Tonight's low will be around 72.

For Saturday, there will be a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m., but temperatures again should reach 95, with heat index values as high as 101.

An Excessive Heat Watch, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 105 possible, continues through 6 a.m. Sunday.

"Dogs are wearing a fur coat and cannot sweat," said Dr. Tim Mosebey of West Lehigh Veterinary Care in Breinigsville. "So you can imagine how not fun that is."

Dogs also don't have sweat glands like we do, so their body temperatures heat up faster, and take longer to cool down. For some, too much time in the sun can mean a one-way ticket to dehydration, or in extreme cases, an emergency vet visit.

"Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are very real and very dangerous possibilities for dogs, especially in weather like this," Mosebey said.

So how can a pet parent stop a tragedy before one begins?

Small changes in routine

Instead of walking or exercising your dog in the middle of the day, Mosebey recommends doing it early in the day or at night, after the sun has gone down.

"It's much better to play with your dog when it's maybe 75 degrees and sunny as opposed to 95 degrees and humid," he said.

Also, Moseby said, limit playtime— as much as it may bum out the most energetic of labradors and Australian Shepherds. The shorter the play session, the less chance for dehydration and exhaustion.

For dogs with cases of the playfully called "zoomies," Mosebey recommends Kongs, puzzles and other chew toys that will keep your pup mentally stimulated indoors all while providing a treat.

"Fill up a Kong with some peanut butter or yogurt and let them have at it," he said. "You'd be surprised to see how long it keeps them occupied."

Avoid asphalt

If you've been looking for a new (shaded) walking trail to explore, now's the time.

The black asphalt lining the streets in front of apartments and homes heats up at a rate much quicker than grass or dirt, making it unsafe for the sensitive pads on your dog's paws, Moseby said.

On a 77-degree day, asphalt temperatures rise to 125 degrees. On a 87-degree day, it hits 143.

"Imagine your foot touching that," Mosebey said.

Instead of walking Fido around the neighborhood, try a dog park or a nearby walking trail; the Lehigh Valley has a multitude of dog-friendly options.

Look for signs, symptoms

Mosebey also encourages pet parents to simply be aware of their dogs' behavior.

Key symptoms of dehydration in dogs include excessive panting, a swollen tongue and red around the eyes. Those symptoms means that it's time to get them inside.

"Giving your dog plenty of water to drink and, if they're up for it, a cool bath — that usually does the trick and helps them to cool down," Mosebey said.

If your dog starts vomiting, acting lethargic or disoriented, or is wobbly on their feet, it's time to get them to the vet.

"I would so much rather prevent the issue than try and treat it."