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Dogs and warm weather: How hot is too hot?

It’s time to start thinking about hot days and how we deal with them as dog owners. Many dogs love nothing more than basking in the sun, but we need to do our best to keep their body temperatures down to avoid heatstroke. 
 
As well as heatstroke, we’ll be discussing the best strategies to keep your dog cool during the summer months, what and where to avoid when the temperatures start to soar, and a run down of some of our favourite tried and tested products, available in store and online.
 

 

How hot is too hot?

This varies between dogs but a general rule of thumb we like to suggest is that once temperatures hit 16c, you need to start paying attention to what you’re doing. Black dogs, dogs with flat faces, large dogs, overweight dogs or dogs with health conditions can be at a high risk even at 16c.

We love this infographic from our friends at Vets Now. Why not take a picture of it now (using this link) and keep a copy on your phone for reference!

 

Heatstroke in dogs

Heatstroke develops when a dog is unable to reduce its body temperature. This is usually brought under control by panting, but heat makes this difficult and breathing alone can become more challenging. Do you know how to identify heatstroke? Look out for excess drooling, drowsiness, lethargy, and more obvious symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. 

 

Treatment

Heatstroke can be fatal, so knowing what to do if a dog is showing signs is crucial. The main objective is to gradually reduce their body temperature and here are steps you should take to do this:

  • First things first, find shade or somewhere cool
  • Offer your dog drinking water and allow them to drink small amounts regularly
  • Use water to cool your dogs body down. This should not be very cold or icy water as this will increase the risk of shock. Instead, tap water, or water that’s 15c-16c, is the ideal temperature. Ideally water should be poured on the dogs body until they are more comfortable. Be sure to avoid getting water on their head as it may be inhaled with nose or mouth
  • Wet towels are not usually recommended because they can trap heat. If you need to use them, again make sure the water is not too cold and that you are moving the towels on the body
  • It’s not uncommon for dogs to become unconscious from heatstroke. Try not to panic and continue to slowly reduce their temperature using the steps above until you can get your dog to the nearest vet.     

Prevention

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure! Hot summer days call for small changes in your daily routine to keep your dog safe.

  • The first thing to change is a switch to early morning walks and later evening walks when temperatures are at their coolest. Walking a dog in hot temperatures can be as harmful as sitting in a hot car. 
  • It should go without saying these days, that dogs and hot cars don’t mix. And if you see a dog in a parked vehicle showing symptoms of heatstroke, call 999 immediately.  
  • Reduce your activity on walks! It’s really important, especially when temperatures are high, not to expect your usual exercise routine. If you normally take your dogs favourite ball or frisbee to the park for a game of fetch, please don’t! Switch to fun and less physical games in the shade (nose work is ideal, simply throwing treats in the grass for your dog to sniff out). A sniffy walk is much more stimulating and tiring than you might think, and is by far the safest way to exercise dogs in the heat.     
  • Carry plenty of water with you on walks, or choose a walk near a water source such as a river. Contrary to what you might think, beaches are not always  particularly safe for dogs on hot days. Amongst other dangers, there is no or little shade and sand/stones can get very hot underfoot.  
  • Shady walks are best! Rethink your trip to the park and consider woodland or somewhere less exposed to the sun.
  • If your dog is spending any time outside, make sure they have access to shade and fresh water throughout the day.
  • If your dog likes to “sunbathe”, make sure you keep a close eye on them and take them to shade or inside if they’re showing signs of getting too hot.     
  • Paddling pools, wading pools or sprinkler pads are a great addition to your garden furniture!
  • Frozen/chilled treats are a fantastic way to keep dogs cool, and there are so many ideas! The easiest way is to find something wet that your dog likes (wet food, yoghurt, soft cheese, broth) and use Kongs, LickiMats or natural chews as vessels. If you need some inspiration and a bit of motivation, LickiMat have the most amazing ideas on their Instagram, we honestly can’t get enough!

 

Don’t forget about pavements!

If they’re hot to touch with the back of your hand, do your best to make sure your dog avoids contact. 

 

 

Our top products for hot days

We’ve pulled together some of our favourite products that can help to keep dogs cool in the heat:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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What do you use to keep your dog cool & comfortable in the sun? We’d love to hear your ideas and see your pictures =) follow us on Facebook and Instagram for top tips, new products and important updates throughout the season.