How to Keep Your Dog Safe in Hot Weather
Understanding the Risks Dogs love being outside and need regular exercise for their health and mental stimulation. However, hot weather can pose serious risks, such as heat stroke, which can occur suddenly and escalate quickly. Unlike humans, dogs can't remove their coats to cool down and can only release heat through their paws, noses, and panting. It’s vital to heed professional advice to keep your dog safe during summer.
Never Leave Your Dog in a Hot Car Never leave your dog in a parked car, caravan, shed, or conservatory on a hot day, even for a few minutes. Temperatures in these enclosed spaces can rise rapidly, leading to heat stroke and potentially death.
Safe Temperatures for Walking Dogs
Generally Safe: Up to 18°C
Potential Risk: Above 20°C, with higher risks for young, elderly, obese, brachycephalic dogs, or those with health problems
Vulnerable Dogs: Thick-coated, puppies, elderly, or those with underlying medical condition
Paws for Thought
Pavements, roads and town centres can be too hot for paws as they absorb heat. Take a step outside on a hot day and lay the back of your hand on a pavement and then compare to a grass area - how different it is! Paw pads can be scorched and blistered by walking on concrete surfaces.
When is it Too Hot (or too cold ) to Walk a Dog
Here are some steps you can take to ensure your dog stays cool during the summer months.
Use pet-safe sun cream on exposed parts of your pet's skin, such as the tips of their ears and nose, to avoid sunburn. This is especially important if your dog has white or light-coloured fur, as they can be very vulnerable to getting burnt. If you're unsure which is the right product to use, please ask your vet.
Ensure pets always have access to shade and fresh drinking water to help keep them cool.
Check every day for flystrike - this can be fatal.
Put ice cubes into your dog's water bowl or make some tasty ice cube treats. You could also freeze a kong with treats and water!
Give your pet damp towels to lie on (never place a damp towel over your dog as this can trap in heat) or an ice pack wrapped in a towel. Both simple methods could provide welcome relief from the heat
If you're planning a day out with your dog, check before leaving home whether dogs are allowed. If they're not, arrange a pet-sitter or choose another, dog-friendly attraction.
Groom them regularly - regular grooming in warmer weather can help brush away any dead or excess hair, leaving your dog with a less dense coat - much better for staying cool!
Dogs may also appreciate a paddling pool to splash around in, although not all dogs like water, so there's no need to force them if they don't want to!
Take a look below at dogs in Happy Hound Haven care enjoying a dip in the water...
Signs of burned pads
Try the 5-second test - if it's too hot for your hands, it's too hot for paws! You can also look out for:
Limping or refusing to walk
Licking or chewing at the feet
Pads darker in colour
Missing part of pad
Blisters or redness
Signs of heatstroke
Heavy panting and difficulty breathing
Excessively drooling
The dog appears lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated
Collapsed or vomiting
