April 17th, 2020 by Amy Varley

Now spring is well underway and the weather has taken a sunny turn, you might be wondering how to keep your dog safe during the warmer months. Here are our top tips for a healthy and fun summer for you and your pooch!

Keep them cool

One of the biggest things we worry about in hot weather is how we can make our pooches feel most comfortable, after all, they can’t remove clothes as we can! If your dog has a coat that can be clipped, they might have a short summer-do to help keep them cool. This is great for curly-coated breeds – but be careful they don’t burn in the sun. Doggy suntan lotion is available or try to keep them out of the sun as much as possible.

Double and silky coated breeds use their double coats to regulate their temperature, so while they may feel hot to the touch, their skin is probably not as warm as you’d think. Don’t be tempted to get their coats shaved short – as this can actually lead to them overheating!

Cool mats and coats

Recent inventions have seen the mass production of cooling mats and coats. These can be mats filled with a cool gel that stay cold even when your dog is laid on them or coats that can be soaked in water or put in the freezer before your dog wears them to cool them down. Dogs often love the feeling of laying on something cool, does your pooch ever lie on the cool tiles on your kitchen floor? It’s a good way for their body to cool down.

Paddling pool

Doggy paddling pools are now a thing! Made from durable material to save from doggy claws puncturing them (as is the case with typical kiddie paddling pools) these are not only practical to cool your dog down – but also a lot of fun! Let your dog splash around in the pool, or have fun attacking the hose whilst you fill it! Prepare yourself for water everywhere though – they will want you to get involved in the fun!

Something to be mindful of is that your dog doesn’t consume too much water whilst they are playing around with the hose or in a pool. Too much water for a dog can be fatal from a condition called “water intoxication.”

When to walk your dog

To avoid your dog overheating in the midday sun, it’s advisable to walk your dog as early as you can in the morning and as late as possible at night. This is when the temperature will be at its lowest and poses the least threat to your pooch! It’s advisable to stick to cool shaded areas to walk, woodlands with a stream running through are ideal! You can test how hot the floor surfaces are by standing barefoot outside and seeing how it feels – if it’s too hot for you then it’s definitely too hot for your four-legged friend! On the hottest days, however, you may not feel it is safe to walk your dog at all. This is not a problem as the next section can give you some tips of how to keep your dog entertained during a heatwave!

Play indoor games

You may feel sorry for your pooch that he can’t always have his daily walk if it’s too hot – but fear not! A dog’s mental stimulation is just as much – if not more – important for keeping them happy. An easy way to mentally stimulate your dog is to play games with them or teach them a new trick! This keeps their brain active and tires them out quickly. Practice sit, down, stay, paw, roll over, sit pretty, play dead, spin and even some basic heelwork - the list is endless as to what little tricks you can teach your pooch. Indoor games can include hide and seek. This is where you put your dog in a sit and wait and then hide somewhere in the house and call them, you’ll be surprised how quickly they pick it up! Hiding treats around the house and asking them to sniff them out can keep them busy too – and they get a tasty reward for it! You’ll find your dog is entertained without the risk of overheating from being in the sunshine!

Check for ticks regularly

Ticks are a risk all year round, however, seem to be more prevalent in late spring and summertime and therefore, are definitely something you should be checked for regularly. Commonly found in woodland areas or open areas with long grass, if your dog has been walking in either of these sorts of areas then you should be checking after every walk. Feeling your dog’s body all over, especially in areas such as the face, neck, chest and legs, check for any unusual small bumps. Ticks are small oval-shaped bugs that can be distinguished by their narrow attachment to the host’s body and the legs are visible just above the skin. Ticks are easily removed with a tick twister – these can be picked up very easily online or from most local vets and pet shops, and at a very inexpensive price. These help to remove the whole tick by twisting its body and head out, where simply pulling the tick would leave the head still attached.

Change your feeding schedule

You might notice that your dog is less inclined to eat during warm periods – this is perfectly normal so don’t worry. It can often be solved by feeding your pooch very early in the morning and again late at night when it is cool, but is not a major cause for concern if your dog is picky with their food or chooses not to eat a couple of meals – the heat can make them feel a little sick. If you are worried about your dog’s eating habits it’s always best to contact your vet for advice. A little tip – try soaking your dog’s biscuits in a little water and mixing with natural yoghurt when soft to form a paste and then freeze this in a kong or other dog treat toy – your dog will love it and it will take them ages to finish it, so stimulating, and they are getting their food and keeping cool!

Leave them be

We know how we can feel a little out of sorts when we are too warm – sometimes all we want is to be left alone. This is the same with our pooch! If he or she doesn’t want to go for a walk in the hot weather – then don’t make them! If your dog just wants to lie in a quiet and cold part of the house – leave them to it. They are telling you how they want to cope with the heat and so we should trust that they know what is best for them.

Whatever you decide to do to keep your dog safe and cool in the summer months – still make sure you have fun and enjoy yourselves!