How to Keep Your Dog Cool this Summer

It’s summertime again and with the unpredictability of the British climate we’re likely to experience all types of weather, including blazing sunshine and heat. Dogs don’t sweat and wear fur coats all year round, making warm weather potentially lethal for them with the risk of heat stroke. Find our tips below on how to keep your dog(s) safe and comfortable this sunny season. 

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1. Inside your house.

British homes generally don’t have air-con and they’re not built to keep the heat out. This means that dogs can overheat at home and we should take precautions. 

- Have several bowls of water dotted around the house on warm and hot days. Clean the bowls each evening and ensure they’re topped up regularly with fresh water.

- Find a cool space and set up a fan with a cooling mat or damp towel for your dog to sit on.  Place their bowl next to the mat and encourage them to lie there with a few treats.

- Use a dog cool coat or bandana – we like the vest by SharkPaws:

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Link - Dog cooling vest

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2.When to walk.

It doesn’t have to be extreme heat for dogs to run into trouble. Avoid walking your dog during the hottest parts of the day when temperatures are above 21 degrees – 9.30am until 7pm. However, if the humidity is high your dog may struggle even after 7pm. If in doubt don’t walk them, it’s simply not worth it and your dog will survive. If you do head out, aim for wooded areas where there is more shade and pop on a cool coat and some protective footwear as the ground can burn their paws badly in hot weather. We like Grip Trex available from Ruffwear at £52.96:

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Link - Dog boots

3. Grooming.

Keeping our dog’s coat cut to a minimum in the summer months is an excellent way to help them manage the heat. Groomers costs can add up so invest in a pair of dog clippers with low sound, cutting scissors and a brush to help you keep on top of it.

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4. Your dog’s weight.

Overweight and unfit dogs will struggle more in the heat. If you’re concerned, talk to your vet and develop a plan to get them down to a healthy size. 

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5. Recognise and treat heat stroke.

What does heatstroke look like? 

- heavy panting 

- extreme lethargy

- confusion, disorientation and loss of coordination 

- foaming at the mouth

- shaking or seizures

- vomiting and diarrhoea

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What to do if your dog has heatstroke

- call the vets immediately and ask for advice

- talk calmly and don’t panic them

- offer them water

- make sure they are in the shade

- place them in front of a fan on top of a wet towel, blanket or cooling mat

- pour tepid water over their feet, then their ears and head. Avoid very cold water as it may send them into shock

- in the car on the way to the vets place them on a wet towel and keep the windows down or put the air-con on full blast 

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6. Car

Never leave a dog in a locked car on a warm day – even for five minutes. The temperature rises quickly, and rapidly becomes a lethal situation for dogs.

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7. Swimming

Surprisingly for dogs, swimming and playing in water on a hot day isn’t advised as they can over exert themselves and this can still contribute to heatstroke. Also, water algae in rivers and lakes can grow in hot weather and this can be poisonous to dogs. A small paddling pool in a very shaded place in the garden would be fine though.

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