The summer is definitely here and with it comes the warmer weather that many of us have longed for. We may be perfectly content with hot sunny days and balmy evenings in this mini heatwave, but do our four-legged companions share that view? Dogs typically do not enjoy the heat, and keeping your dog cool can be a challenge. So what can we do to make this time comfortable for them too? We’ve put together 9 tips to help your hot dog not only survive but to enjoy the dog days of summer.
Hydration is vital
Make sure your dog has access to plenty of fresh water regularly throughout the day. This is something that you will do for your dog anyway, but make sure there is an even more plentiful supply of water available than usual.
Exercise your dog during the coolest part of the day
The coolest times tend to be either early morning or later at night. Make sure that your dog still gets exercise, but you may have to reduce the length and speed of the walks if the temperatures are too high. Take extra care if walking on pavements, as the temperature of the tarmac can burn a dog’s paws and the heat radiating off tarmac or cement can be unbearable. Where possible stick to walking on grass, which will be much cooler for a hot dog and for you too.
Keeping your dog cool by keeping your house cool
If your dog is home alone while you are at work, keep the house as cool as possible during the day. Keep blinds and curtains closed and set ceiling fans to run anti-clockwise at a slightly higher speed than normal. Tiled floors can provide some cool relief so your dog may prefer to lie down on tile rather than in his usual favorite area in the house. If you don’t have tile, using a wet towel that he can lie on can give a similar effect.
Don’t leave your dog in the car
Temperatures inside a vehicle can soar in a matter of minutes. Never leave a dog unattended in a car! To transport your dog comfortably, use a vehicle-specific boot liner such as the Travall Liner instead of blankets.
Don’t leave your dog outside for extended periods in the heat
When your dog goes out to the garden, ensure there are shaded areas and that there is access to plenty of water. Providing some umbrellas for shade is a good option to protect from sunburn and from heat. If your area is experiencing high temperatures and high humidity, keep your dog inside. Humidity will stop a hot dog from being able to cool himself off sufficiently when he pants.
Provide dog-appropriate ice lollies
Your dog can enjoy some cooling ice treats too. Chicken broth frozen into ice cubes goes down really well with some dogs. Even if you just add ice cubes made from water to the drinking bowl, your dog will appreciate it.
Keep your dog well groomed
For double-coated dogs, the top layer of hair can protect from heat and sunburn, while the hair underneath can act as the dog’s cooling system. Make sure to brush regularly as matted dog hair will interfere with this cooling process. Talk to a groomer about whether trimming your dog’s fur can help make your dog more comfortable – it doesn’t work for all breeds but may be appropriate for your dog’s breed.
Provide a splash zone
Not all dogs like to get wet, but if yours does, providing a little puppy paddling pool in the backyard when you are there to supervise can be a fun way of keeping a hot dog cool.
Pay closer attention to your dog during warmer weather and especially if your dog is very old or very young. If he is panting excessively and drooling more than usual, or if you notice that he is urinating less frequently or not at all, has a red tongue and red gums, and is vomiting blood or has black, tarry stools, these may be signs of heat stroke. Try to gradually reduce the dog’s temperature using cool (but not cold) water and contact your vet’s surgery immediately for further advice.
Do you have any tips on what helps your dog stay cool during hot weather? We’d love to hear about them.
Information given in this article is not a substitute for advice from a qualified medical professional. Please consult your vet for advice specific to your dog.
