Anyone who has golfed with Paige Spiranac knows just how hot things can get on the course—not just because of her sexy outfits but also because she’s based in Scottsdale, Arizona, where summer temperatures regularly rise to well over 100 degrees. The internet sensation and budding golf star recently joined PETA to remind everyone to keep dogs indoors when it’s hot outside. She points out that dogs wear fur coats all day, every day, and that—unlike humans—they can only cool themselves by sweating through their paw pads and by panting, which makes it more difficult for them to beat the heat.
“If you’ve seen or read the news recently, you know that dogs are dying in the heat,” Paige says. “We must keep dogs indoors when it’s hot outside and always make sure they have access to cool, clean water.”
She advises against taking dogs out during the hottest part of the day. “When the ground is hot, their sensitive paw pads can burn or blister,” she adds. “Wondering if the ground is too hot? You can check it by placing the back of the hand on the pavement—if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them!”
The symptoms of heatstroke in dogs include restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy, and lack of appetite or coordination. If your dog shows signs of heatstroke, go to a veterinarian immediately—even a few minutes’ delay could prove fatal. Sidewalk pavement on a hot day can reach between 130 and 180 degrees—hot enough to hurt a dog’s feet and even seriously burn them. If the pavement is hot to the touch, it’s too hot for Spot.
