How to keep your dog cool in hot weather

How to care for your dog in the summer

Whilst dog heat stroke and exhaustion are genuine risks for most dogs if temperatures rise above 23 degrees, there are some easy things you can do to reduce the risk and help your dog stay nice and cool.

• Never leave your dog in a car by itself, even if the windows are cracked. The same can be said for caravans, conservatories and out houses. The temperature in these environments can rise rapidly and are extremely dangerous for your pet so don’t risk it. You wouldn’t want to sit in a car on a hot day, so why would your pet?

• Avoid walking at the hottest point of the day. If it’s a particularly hot day, try to walk your dog outwit the hours of 8am – 8pm if possible. Try to stick to shaded areas as much as possible, take breaks and bring water with you. If your dog starts to look more exerted than usual, take a break and then head home.

• Avoid walking on the pavements.Walking your dog on hot pavements can burn and blister their pads, which will cause your pup a lot of pain and impact their ability to walk and play in the following weeks. Before going on a walk, try the five second test – place your hand on the pavement for 5 seconds and if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.

• Avoid overexerting your dog. Don’t run, cycle or play games with them for too long when it’s hot. Even the liveliest of dogs will tire quicker in the heat. Instead, use frozen toys, water sprinklers and paddling pools to keep them entertained.

• Make sure there is a shaded area available both inside and outside your home for your dog to retreat to if they get too hot.

• Avoid leaving your dog alone. If you need to go out, make sure you leave your pup in the coolest room in the house with lots of shade and keep the windows on the latch for air flow. If you’re going to be out all day, try to bring your dog with you or make sure you get a pet sitter.

• Always ensure that you have fresh cold water available – dogs need to keep hydrated too!

• Use pet friendly sun cream on the tip of your dog’s nose and ears if they have white or light fur.

• Brush them regularly. This will help to keep your dog’s coat as thin as possible by avoiding any knots and matting. It’s also a good opportunity to check for flystrike, which is another fatal condition you should be aware of to protect your dog in hot weather.