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Summer is about spending time outside or even cooling down inside the house. Usually, more activities are available in the summer, and it is typically when we spend a little extra time outside with our dogs. Therefore, it is important to learn how to cool down a dog in summer while visiting the beach, having a delicious BBQ in the garden, exploring dog walking trails outside of where you live and more! With all the excitement and joy of spending time in the sun, there is the danger that your dog can overheat or be dehydrated.
Besides releasing heat from their paws, nose and through panting, dogs also need water to help cool themselves down. It is essential always to provide plenty of drinking water no matter the weather.
Ensuring your dog always has a full bowl of clean water decreases the chances of your dog getting dehydrated or overheating. It is especially important in warmer weather as dehydration can lead to more severe conditions.
If you are out for a walk, make sure you have a bottle of water and a bowl your dog can drink from so that you are prepared if your dog starts to get dehydrated.
Pupsicles can be made in many ways. They can have lots of ingredients or just 2! To keep it as quick and straightforward as possible:
The advantages of the pupsicles are that they are made from only water and dried Cod Skin. But, most importantly, your dog will get the cold and cooling feeling of the ice and the deliciously healthy taste from the Fish Skin Twist!
Paddling pools are not only great to cool down a dog in summer, but they also help your dog develop their love of water. Another benefit of paddling pools is they are another way to keep your dog happy and entertained.
There are many different types of paddling pools, inflatable, foldable, and hard.
Inflatable paddling pools run the risk of your dog's nails or teeth piercing the material. Foldable paddling pools are convenient in the way that they can be easily stored away without taking up much room. Hard paddling pools are usually made of plastic and can easily be cleaned and used. However, this can take a lot of storage space up.
When outside, try to provide shade for your dog wherever possible. If you are going on a walk, plan ahead so your dog can walk under trees for shade, etc. If you're visiting the park, there should be many trees that your dog can relax under. If you are in your garden and there is no shade, ensure your dog has easy access to go inside the house or, if your garden is big enough, put up a canopy, gazebo or something that can create shade in the garden.
Not checking the heat of the pavement is the first mistake a dog owner can make. Taking your dog on a walk is part of your daily routine, and your dog needs to exercise and release energy to help keep them happy and healthy.
If the weather is on the warmer side, it is recommended to keep the back of your hand on the tarmac for seven seconds. If you cannot keep the back of your hand on the tarmac for that long, it is too hot to walk your dog. Please note that placing the back of your hand on the pavement for 7 seconds is guidance as each dog's heat tolerance is different. Some dogs may be able to handle more hot temperatures than other dogs.
Finally, we highly recommend always bringing a bottle of water and a bowl on your walk.
The most appropriate time to walk your dog and avoid overheating is in the morning and evening. These are the preferable timeframes since the temperatures are cooler at this time of day.
Walking your dog at these times decreases the risk of your dog having a heatstroke.
Some dog owners might not know this, but dogs can get sunburnt! The most vulnerable places your dog can get sunburnt are their ears, nose, stomach, back and the tip of their tail. Similar to humans, the signs your dog has a sunburn is the affected area of skin is red and tender to the touch. The most effective way to prevent your dog from getting sunburnt is to apply dog-friendly sunscreen to the most vulnerable places first and then the rest of their body for complete protection. Dogs with lighter fur and thinning hair are more likely to get sunburn. In the worst case, sunburn can cause your dog to get skin damage, which can lead to skin cancer.
Finally, when you do not have sunscreen to hand, keep your dog under the shade and out of the sun as much as possible.
This point is crucial as some dog owners can often overlook it. Leaving your dog in the car on a warm sunny day is dangerous, even if you are going to be 'quick'. If your dog's body temperature increases by 2 degrees Celcius, your dog is at risk of having a heat stroke.
It only takes 20 minutes and possibly even less for the worst-case scenario to happen. The topic of a dog's death certainly isn't pleasant; however, it is a very serious topic. Please see the chart below for a visual representation and simplified explanation regarding the temperature changes inside a car.
| Temperature Outside ℃ | Temperature Inside ℃ | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mins | 30 mins | |
| 21 ℃ | 32 ℃ | 40 ℃ |
| 24 ℃ | 34 ℃ | 43 ℃ |
| 27 ℃ | 37 ℃ | 46 ℃ |
| 32 ℃ | 43 ℃ | 51 ℃ |
As you can see from the chart, even 10 minutes has a scary jump of 10 degrees Celcius. A 'quick' trip into a shop can easily be turned into 10 minutes if the person isn't careful.
Not knowing the signs of heatstroke is dangerous, especially in hot weather. Although we all know our dogs inside and out, some of us can mistake signs of heatstroke for something else.
Please look at the image below to read the signs of heatstroke:
Just as important as knowing the heatstroke signs, you need to know how to aid your dog when these signs appear.
Remembering these points is crucial to keep your dog cool in summers, & decrease the chances of something happening to your dog and to keep your dog as safe as possible in the hot weather. We are sure you don't want your dog to experience any discomfort in the summer.
