Keeping your dog cool during the summer is a concept every dog owner has to contend with, and already knows.
Summertime is a joyous time for everyone, it’s warm, you can eat ice cream, visit the beach, and sunbathe (if you’re into that) and the days are longer for you to enjoy being outside. However, the fun can quickly turn into a health hazard for your dog.
Think of it this way, your dog is wearing a fur coat that they can’t remove. You try wearing one in the middle of summer and you’ll know exactly how it feels. This means dogs are more susceptible to overheating which can lead to heatstroke.
So let’s go over some tips on keeping your dog cool and safe during the hot weather.
Understanding the Risks of Heatstroke In Dogs
As we’ve already mentioned dogs are more susceptible to heatstroke due to their fur coat, but this isn’t the only reason, your dog doesn’t have sweat glands like you and I. Your dog cools down by panting. This isn’t new knowledge, but it’s a clear indicator of your dog feeling the heat.
Now, I’m not saying if your dog is panting that they’re experiencing overheating. Panting is a very common behaviour and usually will indicate excitement, catching their breath or just being generally happy to be alive. When we say panting in the heat we mean excessive panting along with other symptoms including drooling, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Before we continue, I must say if your dog is showing signs of heatstroke you must contact a vet! The advice we’re giving is to help your dog stay cool and avoid heatstroke. If you suspect your dog has heatstroke, CALL YOUR VET.
Summer Safety Tips for Dogs: Avoiding Midday Heat
During the summer, everybody, including your dog, wants to be outside. It’s understandable, it’s warm and nice. However, there are areas that you should best avoid when dealing with the heat and your dog. The advice we give here has been said before but there’s no harm in repeating it.
Dog Walks
The most common is don’t take your dog outside in the mid-day sun. Yes, your dog loves going for walks but not only is your dog going to struggle to stay cool due to their coat, but if you put your hand on the ground you’ll feel the heat radiating from the pavement. This can cause blisters and burns to your dog’s paws which let’s face it, will hurt and will require medical treatments.
Don’t leave your dog in a hot car.
This is another common knowledge topic, but don’t leave your dog in your car while it’s baking outside. Even if you leave the window open a crack, the small amount of air coming through cannot battle against the rising temperature from the sun hitting the windows. The speed (15 minutes) at which your dog can die from being inside a hot car is alarming.
Days out To the beach/anywhere.
It can be really tempting to go on a day out with your dog, and I’m not here to disagree with you, but taking your dog to the beach or anywhere for the whole day can be a risky move. The beach is a deceptive place to go during the summer, just look at your sunburn, beaches are famously unshaded and if your furry friend is spending the day exposed to the sun and not being able to keep cool, can turn your fun day out into a disaster.
Now, I can hear you screaming at the screen “I took my dog out to the beach and had no issues!”. Ok, great, on the other hand though, there are countless times when dogs had their last day out because they were taken on a day trip in hot weather, or taken for a walk in the mid-day sun. Why run the risk?
A dog has never gotten ill from being left home for a couple of hours but they have by being taken out in the mid-day sun.
Creating a Cool Dog-Friendly Space
Right, that’s the doom and gloom out the way. Let’s get on with creating a cool environment for dogs.
There are plenty of ways to make a cool, and comfortable place for your pup to enjoy the weather. (Or avoid it depending on how you look at things). This list isn’t exhaustive, and I will have definitely missed some points. So, add a comment on how you keep your dog cool! It might help someone out
- Provide plenty of fresh water. This is obvious I know. However, having multiple bowls of water dotted around the house and garden is never a bad move. Adding ice cubes as well can give some much-needed relief. Investing in a water fountain though, is a boss move. Water fountains keep water fresher and cleaner for longer and as a bonus, you won’t need to top it up regularly. (Keep an eye on it though)
- Create shady areas: Your house is the shadiest area for your dog, so you know – job done. Your garden, though, may not be blessed with lots of trees and is constantly in direct sunlight all day. By creating shady areas in your garden your dog can enjoy the weather without sitting in the sun. Using pallets, bed sheets, and tarpaulin is a great way to create shady areas by either building a pallet den or taking a bed sheet or tarpaulin and pinning them to your clothesline or shed, creating an awning in seconds.
- Utilize cooling pads: Cooling pads are the best inventions ever for hot days! A simple concept – a small plastic plate filled with cooling gel (I think it’s cooling gel) and placed under a dog bed or blanket. There’s not much else to say on this, invest in one.
- Consider a fan or air conditioning: Air conditioning, particularly in the UK (where we’re from) is becoming more common in homes but if you’re like us and have a floor-standing fan. Whack it on, if you haven’t already. The only thing I’ll say is try not to leave your dog unattended with fans to prevent accidents.
Adjusting Your Dog’s Routine
We won’t go into much detail here, as everyone’s routines are different. If you can change your dog’s routine, it will only benefit your furry friend and could lead to some new habits for you! Win-Win.
- Avoid strenuous exercise: No one likes exercising in the hot sun. Neither does your dog. Take your dog out for their daily walk in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. It may take some getting used to, but you’ll enjoy it just as much as your dog. See our blog article on keeping your dog entertained while stuck indoors.
- Grooming: Pretty simple but regular grooming can help remove excess fur and improve airflow. Even a trip to the dog groomer is needed to keep Fido’s coat nice and short, especially if they’re a long coat breed.
- Never leave your dog in a parked car: It can’t be overstated, if you take your dog to the groomers don’t go and do a shop and leave your freshly groomed pooch in the car. See our point about heatstroke further up the page.
How to Cool Down a Hot Dog Safely and Effectively.
Right, like I said, if your dog has heatstroke call the vet. However, if you suspect your dog is a little too hot and needs cooling down fast, these points will give you some advice.
- Gradual cooling: Don’t try to cool your dog down quickly, drastic temperature changes can add to your dog’s woes. Gradually cool them down with small amounts of water and apply a cool compress to their paws. I wouldn’t use a frozen bag of peas. Just something cold on the paws and ears.
- Swimming: Let your dog have a swim in a paddling pool or take them to a doggy pool.
- A cool bath: Just like letting your dog go for a dip in the pool, if you don’t have that luxury, run a cool (not freezing or hot) bath and pop them in. Keeping the water cooler than the air temperature. Fully submerge them, keeping their head above the water. If you don’t have a bath, a cool shower will work just as well.
- Frozen treats: Finally, frozen treats that you’ve handmade or store-bought, are a fantastic way to keep your pup lovely and cool. Just like having a lovely ice cream yourself, cooling and delicious.
Conclusion
I hope I haven’t been doom and gloom. It can be hard to keep an animal that has a natural fur coat on all the time cool in the summer months. Hopefully, though, we have given you some tips and advice on keeping your dog cool. Remember, prevention is key. Look out for signs of overheating, such as excessive panting, lethargy, drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea, and take proactive measures to protect your loved one. Enjoy the summer safely!