Keeping Your Dog Cool and Happy in Summer

Summer is here and that means you need to make some slight changes in your routines and how you ensure your pooch stays happy & healthy.

Change your walking times in Summer

When the weather heats up, the times you normally walk your dog might be too hot. Choose cooler hours for dog walks like early morning or late evening to avoid hot pavements and overheating.

Shorter hair

Just like us, dogs get hot with longer hair so consider getting a shorter cut in the summer months.

Sun protection for Sun-Lovers

If you have a short-haired dog or one that loves to sunbake, use sunscreen on their skin to avoid burning. Yes, dogs’ skin burns too, just like ours.

Avoid hot pavements

This should be common sense but unfortunately, many people forget that pavements and roads (and sand) can be scorching. If you cannot walk on it barefoot then your dog can’t either. Hot concrete can cause severe burns on their feet.

Keep the water up

Dogs need more water in summer, too. Make sure their bowl is in a cool shady area and even try throwing in a few ice cubes to give it a chill.

Chilled treats

Cool your dog down with a frozen treat. A simple one to make is simply putting a couple of bits of kibble in an ice cube tray then fill with water and freeze. I have a bunch of other ideas in the Pawsitively Delicious cookbook HERE.

Water Play

Not all dogs love water but you can try some fun activities using a sprinkler, paddling pool, or water spray. And, if you have a pool, a little puddle around is great exercise AND a fab way to cool them down. 

Car rides

NEVER (not even for 5 minutes) leave a dog in a car, even if the windows are down. The inside of cars gets very hot, very quickly so take your pooch with you when you leave the car or leave them safely at home.

Look for signs of Heatstroke

Dogs also get heatstroke and the signs of it include excessive panting, drooling, weakness, or confusion. If your pet shows these symptoms, take them to a cool space, dab them with a cool cloth, and give them water to drink. Seek vet advice as needed.

Shady Outdoor areas

If your dog stays outside, make sure they have access to shaded areas where they can escape the sun. In addition, keep plenty of water containers around in case your pet knocks one over.

Common sense prevails in most circumstances but remember if you are hot, then your dog probably is too.