Dogs love to be outside in the sun on walks or for playtime. But, if they’re overexposed to the sun for too long, they can get heat rashes. Although these rashes are not as scary as some other diseases that dogs can get, they’re still something to look out for and treat since it will bother the animal that has it! This article will teach you how to tell if your dog has a heat rash, and what to do when you find one on their skin.
What Is Heat Rash Anyway?
And Why Do Dogs Get It?
According to MedicalNewsToday.com, a heat rash is formed when sweat becomes blocked due to a blockage in sweat glands in deep layers of the skin. It mostly affects areas where sweating is more likely, like on your face and neck. It can also occur in skin folds and some symptoms can include small bumps or spots and an itching sensation.
Since dogs have a lot of tender skin not fully covered by their fur, heat rash is more susceptible in those areas especially since they are often outside. Unlike us humans, dogs can’t sweat to get rid of heat on a hot summer day, which means it’s harder to cool their skin down. This can result in a heat rash. These rashes typically appear on a dog’s stomach as well, meaning you’ll need to help them cool off by bringing them inside or even hosing them down with cold water after a hot summer day!
Remember to always look out for your dog panting too, this could mean they are overheated which is the start of a heat rash. By recognizing that your dog is spending too much time in the sun early on, you may be able to prevent the formation of heat rashes in general.
Symptoms Your Dog May Have Due To A Heat Rash
If you’re unsure whether or not your dog has a heat rash, here are some symptoms you can look out for:
- Itchy skin
- Redness
- Scabs
- Bleeding
- Boils and bumps
- Tender skin
- Sores
If your dog has any of the symptoms listed above, make sure to get them in a shady or cooled-down area as soon as possible so that they can rest and so you can check to see if there are any heat rashes while they cool down. It’s important to recognize fatigue from the sun so your dog doesn’t get any more symptoms other than redness, itchy skin, and so on. This will also help to prevent further heat rashes if you catch it early on and get your dog out of the sun.
Dogs with skin flaps, like pugs, are especially prone to heat rashes so always make sure to check if they have any of these symptoms so you can treat it as soon as possible!
How To Treat Heat Rash
Sometimes All It Takes Is A Cool Compress
After you’ve gone through the symptoms of a dog heat rash and found one, you’ll want to know how to treat it effectively and efficiently. If it’s a very minor case of heat rash, you should be able to just cool down the infected area with a bag of ice for about 10 minutes or a cold compress. For more severe or major cases, you’ll want to go to a vet who can tell you different treatment options. Some of these options can include:
- Hydrocortisone cream. This treatment can soothe the itchiness of your dog’s skin.
- Aloe Vera. This treatment will lessen inflammation and soothe redness on your dog’s infected skin areas.
- Fauna Care silver spray. This spray is used specifically for the treatment of hot spots and general wound/skin care.
Any of these options will reduce inflammation and skin irritation when applied to a dog’s skin. If your vet wants you to use one of these methods over the other, make sure to listen and apply the treatment until the rash is gone.
It does tend to get very hot in the summers, so you’ll want to make sure your dog is always able to cool down, especially in the afternoon when the UV rays are at their highest. If you do find a heat rash on them, make sure to follow the treatment steps and keep them in a nice and cool environment and keep them comfortable. And if you’re ever unsure, you can always bring them to a vet! Keep your dogs nice and cool this summer so no heat rashes form on their skin.
