When temperatures rise, it’s important to think about how the heat affects your dog. Understanding how to safely exercise them in warmer months, recognise signs of heatstroke and keep them safe at the beach is crucial for their health and well-being. Whether you're wondering what temperature is safe for your dog or how to plan activities during hot days, this guide will help you keep your furry friend cool and comfortable.
How To Keep My Dog Cool In Summer
Planning ahead is key to keeping your dog cool in Summer and can make a huge difference in your dog's comfort during hot weather. Here’s how you can prepare:
Provide Extra Fresh Water & Add Water to Their Diet Encourage hydration by offering cool, clean water throughout the day and add water to their diet to increase fluid intake wherever possible, such as adding bone broth to their food or giving them dog-safe, high water content foods such as watermelon.
Avoid the hottest parts of the day Plan your dog’s outdoor time for early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler and avoid going out between 12midday and 4pm when temperatures are at their highest.
Swop a walk for activities if it's too hot If the day is going to be too hot for your dog, or you can't avoid the hottest part of the day, consider skipping the walk that day and opting for low intensity at-home or indoor activities instead (see the next section for ideas!). This can be especially important for thick coated breeds such as Huskys, Pomeranians or Samoyeds and Brachycephalic dogs with short snouts, like Boxers, Bulldogs and Pugs.
Stay in the Shade If you must be outside, avoid direct sunlight and stay in shaded areas to prevent your dog becoming overheated.
Avoid Road and Pavement Walking Tarmac and concrete can become extremely hot and can easily and quickly burn your dog’s paws. Before walking over roads or pavement, test the surface with your hand; if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog.
Never Leave Your Dog in the Car Even with the windows cracked, cars heat up very rapidly which can lead to fast and fatal heatstroke. Always take your dog with you when leaving the car or, if this is not possible, leave them safely at home with good ventilation and shade instead.
Ba Careful with Short-snouted Dog Breeds in Hot Weather Brachycephalic dogs with short snouts, like Bulldogs and Pugs, are more prone to heatstroke due to the increased effort it takes them to pant in attempt to cool down. These dogs in particular need to avoid excessive exertion and may be better swopping walks for at-home activities in warmer months.
Activities to Do When It’s Too Hot to Walk Your Dog
When it’s too hot for a regular walk, here are some activity ideas to keep your dog entertained and cool:
Use a lick mat Spread food on the textured surface of a ‘lick mat’ for your dog to enjoy; as well as keeping them occupied, licking stimulates the release of endorphins (happy hormones) which are believed to have a calming effect. Rubber lick mats can also be pre-filled and frozen to make the activity last longer and is a great way to aid cooling, whilst still providing mental stimulation in hotter months.
Treasure hunt for food Make treat and meals times more engaging by encouraging your dog to hunt for and find their food. A dig box is a simple but effective way to create enrichment from newspaper and a cardboard box - simply scrunch the paper up, pop it inside the box and hide food within it. To mix this activity up, put food inside a toilet roll or use a puzzle feeder. If you want something even faster, you can simply scatter food in the garden or a room inside the house and let your dog hunt for it. Or swap treats for toys and hide their favourite one for them to sniff out.
Use a Paddling Pool or Water Tray Let your dog splash around in a dog paddling pool (that has a scratch resistant base) to cool off and have fun.
Focus on Low-Level Training and Games Practice commands and focus exercises that don’t require too much physical exertion. The mental exercise of training can be just as tiring as physical exercise for our dogs.
What are the signs of heatstroke in dogs?
Heatstroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention from a vet, so knowing the signs and spotting it early can save your dog's life. Signs of heatstroke in dogs can include:
Excessive Panting
Drooling
Trembling
Vomiting or Diarrhoea
Abnormal Gum Color (Red or Blue)
Weakness or Lethargy
Increased Heart Rate
Collapse
5 Easy Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe at the Beach
Taking your dog to the beach can be a fun summer activity, but it’s vitally important to prioritise their safety in the heat. Here's 5 easy tips to help keep your dog safe at the beach:
Research Location and Temperatures Before Traveling Try to find dog friendly beaches with nearby shaded areas, fresh water streams, and less crowded spaces so you can give your dog a break from stimulation to help them settle. Before travelling, check local weather and any guidelines you will need to follow. Plan your beach visit for days when the weather will be cooler and aim for early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak temperatures.
Monitor for Signs Of Heatstroke Whenever you visit the beach, be vigilant for signs of overheating, like excessive panting, lethargy, drooling, vomiting, and abnormal gum color that could lead to heat stroke. If you spot them, get your dog to a cooler spot straight away and, if necessary, call the vet.
Bring Water, Shade & Toys Hydration is crucial, especially when your dog is excited and active at the beach, so make sure to bring plenty of fresh, cool water and a bowl for them to drink from. Provide a cool, shaded area for your dog to rest and escape the sun - shade tents work well. Bring plenty of toys and rewards to reinforce positive behaviour and keep your dog engaged.
Avoid Walking On Hot Sand Sand can get just as hot as tarmac, so it is just as capable of burning your dog’s paws. Before walking over hot sand, test the surface with your hand; if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog.
Think Before Letting Your Dog Off-Leash Ensure you have a reliable recall before allowing your dog to run free. The beach is full of distractions like other dogs, people and seagulls! Dogs can very quickly become overexcited on the beach, leading to barking and unresponsive behaviour, so it is important to keep playtime cool, calm and controlled.
By understanding when it’s too hot to walk your dog and taking proactive steps to keep them safe in hotter months, you can enjoy the summer season together without the risk of heat-related issues. Always prioritise your dog’s well-being, and when in doubt, it’s better to stay cool and safe indoors.
Get Help & Support
If you would like support to master positive reinforcement in training, All Positive Dog Services offer a variety of services to suit different ages, needs and all using positive training methods.
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