Our Quick Guide To Keeping Your Dog Safe in the Summer Heat.

July 25, 2024   |   By David Jackson

We all long for those summer months, where rainy dog walks are a thing of the past. But the reality is, when the warmer days finally come around, owning and appropriately caring for a dog can be stressful. As temperatures rise, it's crucial we all take extra precautions to ensure our dogs stay as safe and as comfortable as possible.

Summer heat can pose serious risks for dogs, like heat exhaustion or even heatstroke. Unlike us humans, dogs cannot sweat (except through their paws) and dogs mainly regulate their body temperature through panting, which is much less efficient than sweating. So when it gets too hot, they can struggle to cool down effectively. To understand more about how heat affects dogs and ways you can help keep them cool and comfortable this summer, check out our detailed guide here.

Our Top Tips For Keeping Your Dog Cool.

1. Hydration: Probably the most obvious of all of these tips; it is vital to always make sure your dog has access to fresh, cool, clean water. Dehydration can happen rapidly in hot weather, so it's essential to encourage frequent water breaks.
   
   

   Top Tip: Consider adding ice cubes to their water bowl to help keep their water stay cooler for longer.

2. Avoiding That Midday Heat: Our advice is to hold off the walkies during the hottest parts of the day. Instead walk your dog first thing in the morning or late in the evening when the temperatures have dropped. Not only can the heat itself cause your dog to overheat, but pavements and sand can become scorching hot and burn your dog's paws.
   
   

   A simple way to test if the ground it too hot is to place the back of your hand on the ground; if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your dog.

   According to The Dog's Trust, a recent study recorded that nearly 75% of heat related illnesses in UK dogs were because of exertion. And amazingly, 67.5% of those cases were just from walking alone.

   
   

   Remember: "No dog ever died from missing a walk, but some have died because of one."

3. Cool Spaces: Provide areas in your garden or home where your dog can escape the heat. Indoor fans or air conditioning can help keep the indoor environment comfortable, whilst areas of shade can give your dog somewhere safe to rest when outdoors. For added relief, you can provide cooling mats or simply a damp towel for your dog to sit on.
   
   

   Top Tip: Never place a damp towel over your dog as this can actually trap in heat and cause even more of a problem.

4. Never Leave Dogs in Cars: Another obvious one, but we can't emphasise this enough: never leave your dog in a hot car, conservatory, outbuilding, or caravan on a warm day, even for a short period of time. When it's just 22C outside, the temperature inside these spaces can soar to a deadly 47C (117F) in no time. Even with windows slightly open, the heat can become dangerously high within minutes, posing a fatal risk to your dog. Always take your dog with you or leave them at home where it's cool.


5. Watch for Signs of Heat Stress: It's important to always monitor your dog's movements and behaviour. Be on the look out for symptoms like excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, or uncoordinated movements. If you notice anything that seems out of the ordinary for your dog, move them to a cooler area immediately and seek veterinary care.
6. Doggie Sun Cream: Did you know that just like us, our pets can benefit from wearing sun cream? Using pet-safe sun lotion on exposed areas of their skin, like the tips of their ears and nose, can help to prevent sunburn. If you own a white or light-coloured dog, this is particularly important as they are more susceptible to burns. If you're unsure about which product to choose, consult with your vet for recommendations.
7. Grooming: Groom your dog regularly. This can help brush away any dead or excess hair, leaving your dog with a less dense coat - much better for staying cool!
8. Know Your Dog's Needs: The heat can catch up with some breeds of dogs much quicker than with others. Breeds with thick, double coats will feel the effects much quicker than a short-haired, single-coat breed. The same goes for puppies, elderly dogs, overweight dogs or those with underlying health conditions. But arguably the group of dogs that struggle the most during the summer are brachycephalic breeds.
   
   

   Breeds like Bulldogs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Bull Mastiffs to just name a few. Unfortunately their shortened airways restrict airflow, increasing their susceptibility to overheating and heatstroke compared to other breeds. If you own one of these breeds of dog, you may consider investing in products like a cooling coat or bandana to further help with the potential risks of over heating.

Fun and Safe Summer Activities.

Long walkies are off the cards, so how do we best keep our dogs entertained and active whilst keeping them out of harms way? Here are some ideas:

• Water Play: Many dogs absolutely love playing in water. Sprinklers, paddling pools, or a gentle hose can offer refreshing fun. However, it's important to remember that not all dogs enjoy water. Forcing a dog to play with water when they aren't keen can cause more stress than enjoyment, leaving them even hotter and more agitated. Always let your dog decide if water play is right for them. Taking your dog to a lake, river or even the beach can be a rewarding way to help them cool down whilst also enjoying themselves.
  
  
  • However, it's important to always supervise your dog around water. Even the healthiest of dogs can quickly find themselves in trouble whilst playing in large bodies of water.
• Indoor Games: On days where it's too hot for a walk, you can keep your dog active indoors by using brain games. Games like fetch, hide and seek, or puzzle toys. If you aren't sure where to start when it comes to at home enrichment, the internet is your friend. Social media channels such as TikTok and Instagram are full of fun and engaging ideas you can pull inspiration from.


• Frozen Treats: As mentioned above, frozen treats can be a great snack choice to help cool your dog on a warm day. Create homemade frozen dog treats using ingredients like yogurt, peanut butter, and fruit. But be sure to aways check the ingredients you are using are dog-friendly. Again, lots of inspiration for frozen dog treat recipes can be found online.

By all means, you should enjoy the warmer months with your dog. After all, on average we only get to spend around 12 summers with them. But be sensible, be vigilant. By taking these precautions you can be sure that your dog stays safe and out of danger from the heat. Remember that your dog relies on you for their care and safety.

As always, we value the input of the All About Dog Food community. If you have any additional tips or experiences to share, we'd love you to leave a comment below.

Stay cool and take care!