Approximately 1 in 4 Owners Experienced Dog Heatstroke｜Most Common Initial Symptom: 'Abnormally Fast Breathing' (62.75%), Most Common Location: 'Daytime Walks' [Konokototomoni]

The risk of heatstroke rises significantly during the hot season. While there is much awareness for humans, pet owners must also understand the heatstroke risks for their dogs. Therefore, Yuzuzu Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture; CEO: Yuka Nakajima), operator of 'Konokototomoni' (https://konokototomoni.com/), which handles dog food and supplements manufactured in domestic factories with quality levels comparable to human food, conducted a questionnaire survey on 'dog heatstroke' targeting 200 adult men and women who own dogs.

1. Approximately 1 in 4 owners experienced dog heatstroke (25.50%) When asked, 'Has your dog ever had heatstroke?', 51 respondents (25.50%) answered 'Yes', and 149 (74.50%) answered 'No'.

2. Most common initial symptom: 'Abnormally fast breathing (panting)' (62.75%) Among the 51 owners who experienced their dog having heatstroke, the top symptom was 'abnormally fast breathing (panting)' (32 respondents, 62.75%). This was followed by 'lethargic' (25 respondents, 49.02%), 'excessive salivation' (18 respondents, 35.29%), and 'staggering gait' (18 respondents, 35.29%).

3. Most common location: 'Daytime walks' (64.71%) When asked, 'Where did the heatstroke (or its signs) occur?', the most common location was 'during a walk (daytime)' (33 respondents, 64.71%). This was followed by 'inside the home' (7 respondents, 13.73%) and 'dog run' (5 respondents, 9.80%).

4. Most common summer walking precaution: 'Shifting time slots' (80.00%) When asked about measures taken during summer walks, 160 respondents (80.00%) chose 'shifting to early morning or late night'. This was followed by 'frequent hydration' (114 respondents, 57.00%) and 'choosing paths with shade or grass' (91 respondents, 45.50%).