Pool dips, spray mists: How to keep dogs safe in extreme heat

As temperatures hit the mid-30s in recent weeks, Ms Grace Yoong noticed a change in her two dogs.

- Kolette Lim

"Kaiza (a Bernese mountain dog) has been drinking a lot, whereas Stinky (a Shetland sheepdog) is drooling a lot more than usual," said Ms Yoong, 34, who runs an employment agency.

"They are also suffering from some heat rash." Sensing that her dogs were affected by the heat, which hit a high of 36.3 deg C in Choa Chu Kang on March 24, she decided to make some changes.

Ms Yoong now walks them at around 8.30am and 6pm daily, avoiding the midday sun.

"On top of that, we give them ice water and feed them dog popsicles once in a while," she added.

The hot weather looks set to stay in 2024, and could be even warmer fourth-warmest than in 2023 - the year on record for Singapore, the national meteorologist said on March 23.

Ms Janice Tham, 35, noticed that her dogs maltipoo Latte and cockapoo Mocha - seemed to be drinking a lot more water than usual. The administrative executive now opts to take them to a pool and indoor places such as petfriendly malls and cafes for weekend activities, instead of going for walks outdoors.

Vets told The Straits Times that as the weather in Singapore gets warmer, it is crucial for owners to protect their pets from heat stress.

Dogs are more susceptible to overheating compared with humans, said Dr Teo Boon Han of VetTrust Singapore, as they regulate their body temperature primarily through panting.

Those with shorter snouts and faces known as brachycephalic dogs are more prone to heat stress, say vets. These include breeds such as pugs, Boston terriers, and English and French bulldogs.

Brachycephalic dogs are "inefficient" at panting due to their shorter faces, which makes it harder for them to dissipate heat and regulate their temperature effectively, said Dr Lee Yee Lin, veterinary medical director of Gentle Oak Veterinary Clinic.