Ensuring Your Dog's Comfort and Safety During Summer Heat: Essential Tips and Tools
- Meghan Minister
- Jul 11
- 6 min read
As summer temperatures climb, it becomes ever more important to stay vigilant about your dog's comfort and safety. Dogs can easily overheat, leading to serious health issues like heat stroke, which can be life-threatening. Fortunately, with the right tools and strategies, you can help your furry friend stay cool and enjoy life to the fullest throughout the hotter months. In this blog post, we will discuss essential tips including cooling gear, summer treats, and necessary precautions to take when the weather heats up.
Understanding Heat Sensitivity in Dogs
It is important to understand your dog's own individual heat tolerance and monitor them carefully, especially during outside play or exercise; heat related illness and heat stroke are serious and potentially fatal conditions in dogs (4), so it is important to keep an eye on your beloved pooch in hotter weather. Unfortunately, 75 per cent of heat-related illness events presenting to UK vets are triggered by exercise (1); male and younger dogs are more at risk of heat-related illness from exercise, whereas older dogs and flat-faced dogs were more at risk of illness from just sitting outside in hot weather (2). Studies show that flat faced breeds, such as bulldogs and pugs, have a decreased capacity for thermoregulation compared to non flat-faced dogs (4), but other factors such as body weight and condition actually play a larger role in determining effectiveness of thermoregulation than skull shape (3,4).
As heat stroke symptoms can develop quickly, it is important to know the signs that your dog is getting too hot. Keep reading to find out more about helping to prevent heatstroke and how to detect the signs a dog may be in distress.
Cooling Bandanas and Coats
One excellent way to maintain your dog's comfort during the heat is to use cooling bandanas or coats. These items feature special materials that absorb and retain water, helping with evaporative cooling when worn. Simply soak the bandana or coat, wring out the excess, and put it on your dog. This process helps gently lower and maintain their body temperature, especially when out of direct sunlight. Studies conducted on military scent detection dogs showed that dogs could maintain a lower core body temperature when wearing a cooling vest whilst exercising, compared to dogs that did not wear a cooling vest (5), helping prevent heat-related illness. Make sure to keep the coat/ bandana regularly topped up with cool water, as it can easily dry out in the summer sun. There are many options available in pet shops and online for you and your dog to try!
Paddling Pools for Playtime
Some dogs naturally gravitate towards water, so a paddling pool can be a fantastic way to keep them cool while providing enrichment opportunities. Look for a shallow, dog-friendly pool and fill it with cool water, you can also put ice cubes and toys in the pool to encourage the dog in. Being in cool water not only helps to regulate their body temperature but also allows for playful splashing, or even a bit of doggy chill out time. Natural water sources such as rivers, lakes and the beach are also a great way to keep your dog cool in the summer, you could even take a dip with your dog! Always ensure you supervise your dog closely while they play in water to maintain their safety; sea water consumption can be deadly, so dogs must be closely monitored when enjoying the beach.
Although not all dogs are water lovers, you can still use other techniques to keep them cool. They may not like you much for it, but pouring cool water over your dog can help them to regulate their temperature, as well as holding their paws in cool water or using cooling bandanas and coats. A study conducted on dogs competing in cani-cross in the UK, found that cold-water immersion (water at 0.1-15 degrees Celsius) could be used to effectively and safely cool dogs with exertional hyperthermia (overheating) (6). Make sure you and your dog stay cool this summertime!
Special Treats: Ice Creams and Homemade Snacks
Summer is the perfect time to spoil your dog with special treats; opt for dog-friendly ice creams that use safe and natural ingredients. These typically exclude harmful elements like chocolate and xylitol, which can be harmful for dogs. You can also create your own tasty treats at home! For instance, blend bananas with dog-safe peanut butter, freeze them in moulds, and serve for a refreshing snack. Another fun idea is making frozen treats by mixing dog safe fruits, such as strawberries or blueberries, with yogurt or broth, pouring the mixture into moulds, and freezing.
These simple treats aren’t just cooling, they can also provide enrichment through mental stimulation as the dog has to work to get to the tasty parts! As shown in the photo below, you can make it more challenging for your dog and hang the frozen treat, or freeze a snack in a kong or similar puzzle toy. Offering ice cubes as a treat is also an effortless way to keep your dog cool. Many dogs love crunching ice cubes, which helps with hydration on hot days. For added flavour, freeze low-sodium broth into cubes for a tasty surprise. These homemade snacks are a delightful way to ensure your dog stays hydrated whilst enjoying something fun in the sun.
Walks and Outdoor Time: Timing is Everything
Although your dog may love their outdoor time, it's crucial to schedule walks carefully during high temperatures. Early mornings or late evenings are the best times to walk your dog when temperatures are cooler. Hot pavements can easily burn dogs' paws and lead to discomfort and costly vet bills; an easy way to check the ground you are walking your dog on is to hold the top of your hand to the ground for a few seconds, if it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog. Consider investing in dog boots, which protect their paw pads from hot surfaces and rough terrain, as well as keeping walks short, if you do have to walk in hot weather conditions. Provide regular water breaks and if possible walk dogs near natural water sources to provide relief from the heat. If possible, keep your dog at home in a cool room out of direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day.
Monitoring Signs of Overheating
As a responsible pet owner, keeping an eye on signs of overheating is essential. Heat stroke symptoms can develop quickly and can turn life threatening, so monitoring your dog, especially during your walks, is vital for maintaining good health during the summer months. Symptoms like excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, or an accelerated heartbeat can indicate heat distress. If you notice these signs, act quickly:
Move to a Cooler Area: Find a shaded spot or bring your dog indoors into a cool room.
Hydrate: Offer fresh, cool water immediately.
Cool Down: Use cool (not ice cold) water on areas like their paws, belly, and neck to help remove excess heat. If possible place your dog in front of fans or misting fans. Do not cover your dog in wet towels as this can make symptoms worse.
Seek Veterinary Help: If symptoms persist or get worse, contact your veterinarian for advice immediately. Heat stroke can kill if you don't act quickly.
Keeping Dogs Safe in the Heat
Ensuring your dog's well-being during summer heat requires careful planning and awareness. By utilizing tools like cooling bandanas and coats, providing paddling pools, and offering safe summer time treats, you can keep your furry friend cool and comfortable. Always consider your dog's breed, colour and individual heat sensitivity, and avoid exercising them during the hottest hours of the day. With these precautions in place, both you and your dog can enjoy a fun, safe summer together. Get out there and enjoy the glorious British summertime together!
References:
Hall, E., Carter, A. and O'Neill, O. (2021) New thinking on heat-related illness (heatstroke) in dogs. Kennel Gazette pp. 10-14. https://heatstroke.dog/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/health-matters-hot-dogs_hall_carter_oneill_-may-2021-kennel-gazettefinal.pdf
Hall, E., Carter, A. and O'Neill, D. (2020) Dogs Don't Die Just in Hot Cars - Extertional Heat- Related Illness (Heatstroke) Is a Greater Threat to UK Dogs. Animals 10 (8), 1324. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081324
Bruchim, Y., Horowitz, M. & Aroch, I. (2017). Pathophysiology of heatstroke in dogs – revisited. Temperature. 4(4), 356–370. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23328940.2017.1367457
Davis, M.S., Cummings, S.L. & Payton, M.E., (2017) Effect of brachycephaly and body condition score on respiratory thermoregulation of healthy dogs. *JAVMA*, 251(10), pp. 1165-1170.
Benito, M., Lozano, D. and Miro, F. (2022) Clinical Evaluation of Exercise Induced Physiological Changes in Military Working Dogs (MWDs) Resulting from the Use or Non-Use of Cooling Vests during Training in Moderately Hot Environments. Animals 12 (18). pp-2347. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani1218
Carter, A., Hall, E., Bradbury, J., Beard, S., Gilbert, S., Barfield, D. and O'Neill, D. (2024) Post Exercise Management of Exertional Hyperthermia in Dogs Participating in Dog Sport (canicross Events in the UK. Journal of Thermal Biology 121. 103827
Comments