特別インタビュー：日本の過酷な夏から愛犬を守る〜外国人オーナーのための熱中症対策〜Part1

Ｑ１．日本の夏は、海外の夏と比べてどのような特徴がありますか？

日本、特に東京の夏は「極端な高温と高湿度」が最大の特徴です。多くの外国人オーナー様が驚かれますが、母国ではカラッとした暑さでも、日本はまるでサウナのような蒸し暑さになります。さらに、都市部はアスファルトで覆われているため、強烈な直射日光による照り返しが発生し、ヒートアイランド現象によって逃げ場のない暑さとなるのが特徴です。

Q. How is summer in Japan different from summer in other countries?

The biggest characteristic of summer in Japan—especially in Tokyo—is its combination of extreme heat and very high humidity.

Many international pet owners are surprised to discover that even if summers in their home countries are hot, the air is often much drier. In contrast, Tokyo’s summer feels almost like being in a sauna because of the intense humidity.

Another factor is the urban environment. Most roads and sidewalks are covered with asphalt, which absorbs and radiates heat from direct sunlight. Combined with the urban heat island effect, this creates extremely high ground temperatures and leaves very little relief from the heat.

For dogs, this means that summer in Tokyo can be much more dangerous than many owners expect, so extra care is essential during the hottest months.

Q. 日本的夏天与其他国家相比，有哪些特点？

日本，尤其是东京的夏天，最大的特点就是高温加高湿度。

很多来自海外的宠物主人都会感到惊讶：虽然自己国家的夏天也很热，但通常空气比较干燥；而日本的夏天却湿热难耐，就像置身于桑拿房一样。

此外，东京等城市的大部分道路都铺设了柏油路面。柏油会吸收阳光并释放大量热量，再加上城市热岛效应，使地面温度大幅升高，即使待在户外也很难感受到凉意。

对于狗狗来说，这样的环境比许多主人想象的更加危险。因此，在日本度过夏天时，一定要特别注意防暑降温，避免中暑等健康风险。

Ｑ２．気温だけでなく、湿度にも注意が必要なのはなぜですか？

犬は人間のように全身で汗をかくことができず、主にハアハアと呼吸する「パンティング」によって唾液を蒸発させ、体温を下げています。しかし、湿度が60%を超えると唾液が蒸発しにくくなり、自力での体温調節が極めて困難になります。そのため、気温がそれほど高くない日であっても、湿度が60%を超えていれば熱中症リスクは一気に跳ね上がります。

Q. Why should I pay attention to humidity as well as temperature?

Unlike humans, dogs cannot cool themselves by sweating through their skin. Instead, they regulate their body temperature mainly through panting, which cools the body by evaporating moisture from the tongue and saliva.

However, when the humidity rises above 60%, evaporation becomes much less effective. As a result, dogs can no longer cool themselves efficiently, making it extremely difficult to regulate their body temperature.

This means that even on days when the temperature doesn’t seem very high, humidity above 60% can dramatically increase the risk of heatstroke. That’s why it’s important to check both the temperature and the humidity before taking your dog outside.