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Hot summer weather brings fun in the sun, swimming, cookouts, and popsicles. However, summer weather can be grueling for dogs, especially those with thick coats like Siberian Huskies or Australian Shepherds. As a dog owner, it is important to know how to keep your dog safe in hot summer weather.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential steps to keep your pup from overheating or, even worse, getting heatstroke. Most dogs love outdoor fun, but it must be done safely in the summer heat. Read on to learn how to keep your dog cool in the hot summer weather.
The 8 Ways to Keep Your Dog Cool in the Hot Summer
1. Hydrate
Keeping your dog hydrated is crucial to avoid dehydration. Whether you’re in the backyard or on a walk, ensure you have fresh, cool water for your pup. You can buy easy-to-carry water bottles and bowls for your adventures, especially if your dog will not have easy access to water, such as on a hike.
2. Invest in a Cooling Bed or Jacket
Cooling beds can help your dog cool off comfortably. Some dogs have thick coats, and providing a cooling bed will keep your dog cool during a nap or at nighttime. Cooling beds have gel beads that remove the heat from your dog’s body. Dogs can only sweat through their paw pads, and panting helps cool them down, too.
Cooling jackets encourage evaporation through the mesh vest and keep your dog cool. Providing your dog with a cooling bed or jacket will decrease their internal temperature.
3. Take Frequent Breaks
You must take frequent breaks When playing outside, especially if there is no shade. Take your dog inside for a nice cool drink of water, and provide air conditioning. If you have a tile floor, your dog will love to lay on the cool surface, which will cool them down, much like a cooling bed. Watch your dog for signs of overheating, and remember to provide fresh, cool water.
4. Provide Frozen Treats
Dogs love frozen treats, which help cool your dog off while providing a tasty snack. Frozen treats also keep your dog hydrated and are easy to make. Does your dog like peanut butter? If so, try freezing dog-safe peanut butter into a Kong, but ensure the peanut butter has no xylitol or added sugars and preservatives.
Frozen fruit makes a tasty frozen treat; you can even jazz it up with a cute paw ice tray. Blueberries, watermelons, bananas, strawberries, raspberries, mangos, and pineapple make excellent frozen treats. Just pour whatever fruit you select into a blender with ice cubes, blend, pour into an ice tray, and voilà.
5. Provide Shade
While outdoors, ensure there is plenty of shading from trees, a canopy, or even a patio umbrella. Avoiding direct sunlight will keep your dog from becoming overheated so quickly. Also, ensure whatever you’re using for a shade allows airflow. If you have a doggy door installed in your home, that’s fantastic! That way, your pup can come inside when it gets too hot.
6. Avoid Exercise During the Hottest Times of Day
The best time to take your canine pal for a walk or play with other doggie friends is the morning or late afternoon/early evening when it’s the coolest in the summer months. Avoid the middle of the day since it is the hottest time.
Also, ensure the pavement is not too hot. Hot pavement can burn your dog’s pads, leading to discomfort and possibly an infection. An excellent way to test if the pavement is too hot is to place the back of your hand on the surface and leave for 5 seconds; if the pavement is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s pads. To be safe (if your dog will allow it without too much fuss), you can buy boots for extra protection.
7. Take a Dip
As long as your dog is comfortable in the water and capable of swimming, they can join you in a pool or natural body of water. However, avoiding water with strong currents is best to keep your pup safe. Labradors particularly like the water and would be happy to splash around on a hot summer’s day. If you take your dog to the beach, watch their water intake, as too much salt water can cause diarrhea and other health issues.
8. Invest in a Raised Cot
Raised cots, or raised dog beds, provide air circulation, which in turn helps cool your dog off. The cots are portable, easy to carry, and excellent for camping trips. You can even buy one with a canopy for added comfort and shading, and you can place a bowl of ice underneath to keep the area under the cot extra cool.
How to Know If It’s Safe to Take Your Dog Outside
How to Spot Signs of Heatstroke
Now that you know eight tips on keeping your dog cool during the hot summer months, we’ll discuss the signs of heatstroke in your dog. If your dog gets overheated, heatstroke can occur, which is a life-threatening condition. Heatstroke happens when your dog’s body temperature becomes elevated. Symptoms to watch for are rapid, labored breathing, abnormal gum color, dry or sticky gums, bruising of the gums, lethargy, disorientation, and, ultimately, seizures.
Heatstroke is a medical emergency, and if you suspect your dog has heatstroke, it’s crucial to bring their body temperature down until they can be seen by a veterinarian. Pour cool (not cold) water on your dog’s head, paws, stomach, and armpits. Cool cloths can be placed on these areas. However, ensure you replace them continually, as the cloths will retain heat.
If you need urgent veterinary advice, consult a vet online for more ways you can support your dog until you are able to get in to the clinic.
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Never Leave Your Dog in a Hot Car
The heat inside a parked car can exceed 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even if a window is cracked. Consequently, 28 states have laws to discourage dog owners from leaving their pets in hot vehicles. Some states allow law enforcement officers and citizens that break into cars to rescue pets. If you can’t leave your vehicle running with the AC on, it’s best to leave your dog at home.
Conclusion
Summer is a time to be outside enjoying the warm (or hot) weather, and your dog will probably want to enjoy it with you. However, ensure you put these eight steps in place when outside with your dog. Remember to keep your dog hydrated and always provide fresh water. Make up frozen treats for those hot summer days, and take frequent breaks from the heat. By taking these precautions, your dog can enjoy the summertime, too.
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Featured Image Credit: Christine Bird, Shutterstock
