- Excessive, rapid panting
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Weakness, tremors, convulsions
- Vomiting
- Reddening and flushing of the skin on the inside of your dog’s ears
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Trouble walking, wobbly
Learn how to protect your pet in both hot weather and cold weather scenarios.
When the weather is undergoing extreme temperatures, there are safety precautions that you can take to protect your pets.
How to Help a Pet Left in a Hot Car
- Take down the car’s make, model and licence plate number and exact location
- If the dog is in distress, call 911
- If the owner can’t be found nearby, call 311 and wait by the car for Animal Control Officers to arrive
Leaving an animal in a hot car and causing it to be in distress may result in fines or charges under the Animal Protection Act and/or the Criminal Code of Canada.
All dogs, regardless of breed, are vulnerable to the effects of excessive heat. That’s because they can’t cool themselves as efficiently as people can. Even dogs with thin coats can suffer from the effects of the sun and heat, including heatstroke and even sunburns.
It’s important to take steps to ensure your dog is comfortable and safe during hot weather.
Leave your dog at home when running errands
In a matter of minutes, the heat inside a car can reach dangerous levels and can cause heat stroke, organ damage or even death.
Give them lots and lots of water
Always provide your dog with unlimited, clean water to drink. Dehydration can occur quickly in hot weather.
Exercise
Try exercising your dog during cooler times of the day such as morning and evening and limiting the length of your walk.
Be wary of pavement and sand heat
Pavements and sand can become very hot and could burn your dog’s pads. Test the pavement with your hands before venturing out. Invest in protective booties to prevent pads from being burnt.
Cool place at home
Create a cool place at home for your dog such as a tiled floor or in the basement. Set up a fan or invest in a pet cooling mat. Pet paddling pools or sprinklers are perfect for your dog to cool off while outside. Keep water levels below your pet’s chest if you have a small dog.
Extra grooming
Brush your dog daily during the shedding period to get rid of some hair and if appropriate, give your dog a trim. It’s not recommended to shave your dog. A coat of fur can act as protection for your dog from UV damage and helps to keep some of the sun’s heat out.
Signs of Heat Stroke and Animal Distress
Signs of Dehydration
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Sunken eyes
- Dry mouth
What to Do If You Suspect Your Dog Has Heatstroke
Heatstroke can be fatal for anyone, including pets. If you think your dog has heat stroke:
- Get your dog out of the sun immediately and contact your vet in an emergency
- Cool the dog down in a cool room wrapping it in cool towels, particularly around your pet’s tummy, underarm and groin areas where fur is thinnest
Take Extra Precautions for Pets in Cold Weather
While some pets can't get enough of the snow, others would rather avoid it. Either way, be aware of your pet's tolerance for cold weather and adjust accordingly. During extreme cold snaps, consider keeping pets indoors or shortening walks while watching for signs such as:
- Lifting their feet high off of the ground
- Licking feet (ice building up on the pads of their feet)
- Shivering
- Shaking
- Whining
- Appearing anxious
- Slowing down or stopping often
- Tucking feet under their body
- Curling up in a tight ball with their tail over them
Other Ways to Help Keep Pets Safe During Winter
Use a protected dog house
Pets who spend a lot of time outside need access to a well-insulated and heated wooden structure that is protected from wind, rain and snow and is equipped with straw. Blankets are not recommended as they are prone to freezing.
It's important to ensure your pet's water and food are not frozen. Avoid using plastic doghouses and metal dishes.
Safeguard pets from frostbite
Pets are vulnerable to frostbite; particularly the ears, paws, nose and tip of the tail. Frostbite is sometimes hard to detect. Frostbitten areas initially turn a reddish colour than grey or bluish.
If you suspect your pet has frostbite, take them to their veterinarian for further care.
Avoid ice melt and salted roads
Salt and chemicals in ice melt can irritate a dog's paws or be harmful if ingested. Check your pet's feet after a walk and wipe off any excess snow/ice or any debris.
Avoid frozen ponds, rivers, lakes and other water
Many animals and people have perished going onto ice-covered bodies of water. If you see someone or a pet fall through the ice, call 911. Do not attempt to rescue them yourself.
Do a walk around your car to check for animals
Before driving, do a walk around your car to check for animals. Outdoor cats find antifreeze appealing because it's sweet. Cats also like to curl up around a car engine for warmth. By giving a knock on the hood or honking your horn you will hopefully scare them off.
For General Animal Welfare Complaints (neglect, abandonment or abuse)
Within Edmonton city limits, the following authorities deal with concerns:
- Animal Control Peace Officers investigate concerns that fall under the Animal Protection Act including neglect and abandonment
- Edmonton Police Service investigates concerns that fall under the Criminal Code of Canada including intentional abuse of animals, poisoning concerns or threats to kill an animal.
For more information on who to call, visit Animal Protection.
Contact Us
Animal Care & Control Centre
Phone 311 | Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Fax 780-496-8824
Address 13550 - 163 Street Edmonton, AB