Heat stroke and exhaustion are serious concerns for pets and other companion animals, who can face greater consequences than humans during severe weather.

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 174F states that it is illegal to leave an animal in a motor vehicle in a manner that could threaten their health and welfare due to extreme heat or cold, resulting in a fine of up to $500, depending on the offense level.

In Massachusetts, no deaths were reported, but six dogs were rescued in four different incidents recorded by PETA:

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One rescue reported on May 5 in Dedham included animal control officers rescuing dogs from two separate vehicles that were parked in a shopping center parking lot for more than an hour each. The external temperature was 80 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of the rescue, reportedly making the vehicles’ internal temperatures more than 95 degrees.

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Another rescue reported in Dedham on May 18 included a puppy in a car parked in a mall parking lot, where the temperature was claimed to be well over 100 degrees inside.

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In Shrewsbury on June 8, two dogs rescued by firefighters were exhibiting signs of overheating. One dog became distressed after playing in a park, and another was locked inside a car.

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On June 10 in Arlington, a dog was rescued from a car that reached nearly 99 degrees, where officers reported the air was “hot and thick.”

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Last year, there were 151 cases of canine deaths, and 355 cases of separate rescues nationwide, according to PETA’s recent report. In the past five years, more than 575 animals have died from heat-related causes.

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The study followed 30 pets living in both urban and rural environments, including both outdoor and indoor sleeping locations. The dogs and their owners were instructed to wear iButtons, clip-on body-heat thermometers. The results from both the dogs and owners were then compared to neighborhood and national weather station heat index risk classifications.

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Frontiers found that urban outdoor dogs are at greater risk of extreme heat exposure than urban indoor dogs and rural dogs outdoors and indoors.

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Urban dogs were found to be more likely to be exposed to maximum heat levels in the “extreme caution,” “danger,” and “extreme danger” classifications due to the increased number of reflective surfaces, such as buildings and roads, and a lack of foliage for shade.

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Urban dogs were also found to have a reduction in airflow when outdoors, which can be influenced by the combination of humidity and the increased amount of blacktop surfaces.

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Frontiers revealed that obese dogs and those who have a reduced activity level are at a higher risk of heat-related injuries and deaths than others, alongside brachycephalic dogs. Breeds with smaller skulls and more obstructed airways. These breeds have heat-related issues starting with outdoor temperatures around 71 degrees, said Frontiers.

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Brachycephalic dog breeds include: Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldogs (including English, French, and American Bulldogs), Bullmastiff, Newfoundlands, Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pug, and the Shih Tzu.

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Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), a condition affecting nearly half of brachycephalic dogs, has been defined by respiratory and thermoregulatory problems, which means maintaining a consistent body temperature is more difficult and takes more time to regulate, according to HHS.

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The consequences of BOAS naturally result in low blood oxygen levels that can result in collapse and, in the worst cases, death in severe heat conditions. These dogs are at an even higher risk for heat stress and stroke than breeds with long snouts and medium-length snouts like Greyhounds and Labradors because of their tiny nasal canals, according to the HHS study.

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Consider their breed, size, and weight when caring for animals in severe heat because all factors have been proven to influence the level of heat exhaustion felt by the animal, according to the Frontiers 2021 journal.

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When animals exhibit these symptoms, remove them from the hot environment, provide fresh and cool water, and bring them to a veterinarian, said the ASPCA. If the animal is exhibiting severe panting, hold off on providing water, and place them in front of a fan to begin thermoregulation to avoid a twisted stomach.

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Keep dogs’ time outside to a minimum, taking them out for short and slow walks in the early morning or late into the evening, the ASPCA suggested.

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To calm the animals through their symptoms, O’Bell suggested cooling techniques with water.

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“You can apply some tepid or cool water, especially to their paw pads, their ear flaps, armpits – these parts of their body that have less fur on them,” O’Bell said to WCVB.

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The organization suggests that dog owners perform the “seven-second test” before walking their dog in urban areas. The test includes placing the back of your hand on the asphalt for seven seconds, and if the heat is too much for your hand, it’s too much for the dog’s paws.

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In these conditions, the organization suggests walking on grassy patches in the shade to avoid potential paw burns.

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The organization revealed the respective temperatures of asphalt with outside air temperatures. If it’s 77 degrees outside, the ground is 125 degrees. If it’s 87 degrees, the ground is 143 degrees, and if it’s 95 degrees, the ground is 149 degrees.

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FOUR PAWS also shared results from a Frostburg University study that shows some surface temperatures are hotter than others. When concrete reaches 104 degrees, under the same conditions, brick can get to at least 109 degrees, versus asphalt reaching 124 degrees.

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