How To Keep Your Dog Safe In Summer

Pleasant summer weather means more walks and adventures with your furry best friend. However, high temperatures can be profoundly dangerous for dogs. Unlike humans, dogs are unable to sweat through their skin. Instead, they release heat through their paw pads and panting; hence they cannot cool themselves down as quickly and efficiently as we do. Alarmingly, dogs are at risk of potentially fatal heat stroke in temperatures as low as 20 degrees Celsius. That said, there are measures you can take to keep your pup safe during the summer months. Read on to find out more. 

Rethink Your Walking Routine

Every responsible dog owner understands the importance of keeping their pup fit and active by walking them 1-2 times daily. However, during the hot summer months, walking your dog in the midday heat can have disastrous consequences, such as an increased risk of dehydration, heatstroke and burns to their paw pads from hot pavement surfaces. As a rule of thumb, walking your dog in temperatures exceeding 19°C (68°F) is inadvisable, although this will vary depending on their age and breed. You can also try the 5-second test to determine whether or not the pavement is too hot for your dog to walk comfortably - if you cannot hold your hand on the ground for longer than five seconds, it certainly won’t be suitable for your dog. 

You can keep your dog active during heat waves by walking them early in the morning or late at night once temperatures have dropped and the pavements have cooled down. 

Provide Plenty Of Water

Hydration is crucial for your dog, particularly during warm weather. Provide a steady supply of cool, fresh water by regularly changing your dog’s water bowl throughout the day. Fortunately, many country pubs, cafés and shop fronts supply bowls of water for canine visitors; however, you can also purchase travel bowls and bottles to take on walks and holidays with your pup. If your dog refuses to drink much, you can keep them hydrated by adding water to their dry food and giving them ice cubes, frozen bone broth or fruits and vegetables high in water to snack on. 

Provide Damp Towels

A cool, damp towel on a hot day will feel like heaven to your dog. Aside from regular grooming and kitting your home out with multiple fans (or an expensive air-conditioning system), it often feels like there is little you can do to alleviate your pup’s discomfort during scorching days. You can help bring down your dog’s core temperature by covering their favourite sleeping spots with cool, damp towels. You can also purchase cooling mats with gel-filled self-cooling pads.

Keep Them Occupied

Keeping your dog indoors during heat waves can result in a lot of boredom, potentially leading to problematic behaviours, such as excessive barking, chewing and digging. Consequently, keeping your pup both physically and mentally stimulated during the day is vital. For example, you could practise training techniques using a clicker or a dog whistle. Alternatively, if you can’t give your pooch undivided attention, ensure they have plenty of toys and puzzle feeders to keep them busy. Here are some ideas for activities they’ll love. 

Never Leave Your Dog In A Hot Car

According to the RSPCA, it can take as little as 6 minutes for a dog to suffer potentially fatal heat stroke when left unattended in a hot car; hence, it should be avoided at all costs. Even if you park in the shade and leave the windows open, your dog can quickly become unwell - this is because, due to the number of windows, your car will act as a greenhouse, and heat is effectively trapped by automobile glass. If you see a dog left in a car on a hot day, call the non-emergency number of your local police or animal control.

Practise Safe Swimming

Taking your dog for a dip in a nearby body of water is an excellent way to help them cool off on warm days. However, as enriching and enjoyable as swimming can be for your dog, adequate safety precautions are necessary. Avoid deep bodies of water or areas with strong currents. Instead, stick to clear, shallow brooks and streams where your pup can splash around safely. If there are no suitable bodies of water nearby, consider purchasing a children’s paddling pool for your back garden.