The Importance of Keeping Your Dog Cool in Hot Weather
As temperatures rise, many of us enjoy the sunshine and the warmer days. However, it’s essential to remember that our canine companions may not be as equipped to handle the heat as we are. Unlike humans, dogs have a limited ability to regulate their body temperature, making them particularly susceptible to the dangers of hot weather. This means that pet owners need to take extra precautions and provide additional care to ensure their four-legged friends remain safe and comfortable.
Experts have shared several essential tips to help keep your dog cool during the summer months.
Never Leave Your Dog Alone in a Car
One of the most critical pieces of advice is never to leave your dog alone in a car, even for a short period. According to Axel Lagercrantz, CEO of Pets4Homes, “Temperatures can rise rapidly inside a car, leading to heatstroke. Don’t leave your dog in a hot car, even if you’re just popping out for five minutes.”
Sue Ketland, a dog behaviour and training specialist at Woodgreen Pets Charity, agrees. She adds, “Please don’t take your dogs out and about in the car unless you absolutely have to. Some people will say, ‘but I’ve got air conditioning in the car’ – but what if you break down? What if your air conditioning fails? What if you get stuck in traffic? What if you do have an accident? Some breakdown vehicles won’t take dogs in them.”
Provide Constant Access to Cool, Fresh Water
Keeping your dog hydrated is crucial during hot weather. Lagercrantz recommends, “Leave multiple bowls around the house so your dog is never far from a source of hydration. If your dog is also playing outside, make sure there is water out there too.”
Be Extra Cautious at the Beach or Near Open Water
If you’re heading to the beach or any open water area, be cautious. Ketland advises, “Try to keep your dog to shady areas on the beach and make sure you take your own fresh water with you for them to drink. Also, make sure that you know if the tide is coming in or going out and be aware of how strong the current is. There have been cases where dogs have been swept out to sea or have been taken down a river, so consider keeping your dog on a long-line lead.”
Don’t Put a Damp Towel Over Your Dog in the Heat
Some people mistakenly believe that putting a wet towel over their dog helps cool them down. However, Ketland warns, “That can actually trap the heat underneath, so don’t do that. Let them lay on the towel instead.”
Adjust Your Walk to Early Morning or Late Evening
Temperatures tend to peak between 11 am and 3 pm. Lagercrantz suggests, “Try and adjust your walking schedule to times when temperatures are not peaking, so early morning and evening.”
Avoid Hot Pavements
Pavements, roads, and sand can become extremely hot in the sun and can burn your dog’s paws. Lagercrantz warns, “Test the ground with the back of your hand for a few seconds – if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. Stick to shaded or grassy areas where you can.”
Check Your Home Cool
Keeping your home cool is important. Ketland recommends, “Keep your doors and windows closed during the day and draw your curtains to keep it shady. Have a fan on, consider getting a cool mat and make sure there’s multiple bowls of fresh water down. My Golden Retriever loves lying on her cool mat. You could also set up a paddling pool in a shady area of the garden for your dog.”
Adjust How Vigorous Walks and Activities Are
If you usually run or do more vigorous activities with your dog, try to slow down a bit. Lagercrantz suggests, “If you usually run or do more vigorous activities with your dog, try to slow down a bit.”
Ketland recommends avoiding anything that involves really hard running, like the repetitive chasing of balls. She explains, “Young puppies, in particular, can’t regulate their body temperatures very well, and dogs don’t really know when to stop. If you’re chucking a ball around in really hot weather, they will just keep going and going and going until they get to the point of collapse.”
Offer Frozen Treats
Lagercrantz says, “Giving your dog ice cubes, frozen treats, or ice lollies made for dogs can keep them hydrated and help cool them down.”
Look Out for the Warning Signs
Ketland highlights, “Dogs that are overheating tend to become restless, find it difficult to settle and pant heavily. Their mouths can appear dry, their tongues can start to go a bluey colour and sometimes their eyes will go bloodshot. They’ll either get to the point of collapse, or in the earlier stages dogs tend to know something’s not right and will pace around heavily, panting and will look agitated.”
Contact a Vet
If you notice your dog is overheating, take immediate action to cool them down and promptly contact a vet. Ketland explains, “Get them into the shade and run cold water over their groin area, their armpits and any area where there’s heavy blood flow, because we want to cool the blood down. Then get them to the vets as soon as possible.”
