5 Ways to Protect Your Dog From
Heat this Summer

Protect Your Dog from Heat in the Warmer Months of the year, by Janice Jones.   

As temperatures continue to rise globally protecting your dog from the heat should be on your mind.  Summer means bright and sunny mornings and lots of fun outdoors but do you know that the high temperatures can be dangerous for your canines and pets?

Veterinary doctors say that they receive a large number of emergency cases during the summers.

Dogs do not sweat like people, and panting is their way of cooling off.  Panting may not signal a heat emergency, but watch your dog for excessive panting.

Just like the way you take precautionary measures for yourself and for your family during the hot summer season, it is important that you do the same for your pets as well to protect them from having heat stroke and other health problems.

5 Ways You Can Protect Your Dog From Heat

The following basic measures can be taken to make sure your doggie doesn’t get affected by the heat and enjoys the summer season with you:

1.  Provide Plenty of Water to Keep them Cool

To keep the furry member of your family safe and healthy during high temperatures, make sure they have plenty of drinking water available all the time.

Also, dogs love to lie down in water to cool off. So, allow them to do that in a bath tub or pool.

Since dogs do not have sweat glands on their skin, they lower their body temperature by drinking plenty of water, and when allowed to lie down and play in the water, they get some relief from the heat.  Some dogs love to play with ice cubes, so consider adding a few in your dog's water bowl.

Learn more about Hydration for Dogs

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2.  Leaving Your Dog in the Car Could be Dangerous

Remember that the temperature inside a parked car is much higher than it is outside.

So, it is better to either leave your dog at home or take the fur ball with you whenever you park your car.

A dog’s body temperature can rise, and they can even get a heat stroke if left in the car, even for an hour.

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3.  Protect Your Dog's Paws

Can you walk barefoot for a mile on a hot summer day? Surely not. So, how can you expect your dog to do that?

Long summer walks can burn your dog’s paws, especially if it’s a young pup.

To protect its paws, avoid going out during afternoons. Take your puppy for a walk either in the mornings or late in the evening.

If, for some reason, you have to take your pet out during the day, make them walk on grass or other cool surfaces and avoid cement or asphalt surfaces.

Additional protection can be provided by using paw wax and regularly moisturizing your pup’s feet.

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4.  Your Doggie Needs Sunblock Too

Although dogs have fur to protect their skin, they can still get skin cancer.

Therefore, it is important to provide them additional protection from the sun by applying sunblock on them.

No, do not apply your sunblock all over your puppy’s body.

There are sunblocks especially made for pets which need to be applied to areas where there are less or no hairs, such as their belly.

I recommend Epi-Pet Sun Protector Spray for Pets.  It has a SPF Equivalent to 30+, is non oily or greasy and leaves that looking fine because it contains hair conditioners. 

If your dog's paws or nose is cracked you might want to check out My Dog Nose It, a balm that you put on cracked noses, pads or elbows to help them heal and protect them from the sun.

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5.  Keep an Eye on Your Dog

During the summers, it is important to keep an eye on your dog and look for any signs of dehydration or heat stroke so that emergency care can be provided.

Lookout for the following warning signs which are indicative of their high body temperature:

• Too much consumption of water
• Heavy panting
• Disorientation or confusion
• Vomiting
• Red eyes
• Lethargy

The 4 legged member of your family needs care and protection the same way other members of your family need it. So, do not leave them unattended during hot weather.

6.  Limit Walks to Early Morning or Evening

If you take your dog on long walks, limit them to early in the morning or just after dusk.  Most of the time, the temperatures are cooler and the sidewalks will not be quite as hot.  When possible, allow your dog to walk on grass which is much cooler than concrete or asphalt.

7.  Does Your Dog Like To Swim

Swimming will definitely cool off your dog (and you too), but not all dogs like to swim.  You may need to teach your dog how to swim because it doesn't come naturally to some breeds.  

Even if your dog doesn't like swimming, a little kiddy pool might be the perfect solution.  Fill it up with a couple of inches of water and get in yourself.  See if your dog follows you.

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