People are often given precautions when the summer months approach. Applying sun cream, covering up and staying hydrated are just some of the things we are advised to do in the hot weather. Although these precautions are essential for humans, they are important for dogs too. Much like humans, dogs can suffer from sunburn and heatstroke in hot weather. As a result, it is essential to provide extra care for your dog as well as yourself. Temperatures are set to rise in the UK, so here are some helpful tips to keep your dog cool this summer:
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Keep your dog indoors
Dogs can only keep themselves cool by panting and sweating through their paw pads. Rising temperatures can lead to heat stress, permanent physical harm or even death in extreme cases. Keeping dogs in a well ventilated home is therefore the best option on a hot summer day.
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Provide easy access to fresh drinking water
If your pet must be left outside, they need plenty of water and have constant access to shade.
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Gentle exercise only
During hot, humid weather, it isn’t a good idea to exercise your dog by making them run. Doing so will cause your dog to collapse, at which point it may be too late to help them. However, it is important that dogs exercise to remain healthy, even when it’s hot.
Swimming is an excellent way to exercise your dog and keep them cool at the same time. If you are going to walk your dog, it is safer to walk your dog in the morning or evening when temperatures are much cooler than in the middle of the day. Nevertheless, you will still need to be wary because pavements can become very hot. If it’s too hot to touch with your hand, it will be far too hot for your dog.
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NEVER leave your dog in a hot car!
A dog who is trapped in a hot car can develop heatstroke in a matter of minutes even if the car isn’t parked in direct sunlight. On a day where temperatures are 26°C for example, the temperature inside a shaded car can reach 32°C.
If you see a dog inside a hot car, take action to help them.
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Don’t let your pet get sunburn
Surprisingly, dogs can also get sunburn. In order to avoid this, apply dog-friendly sunscreen on exposed areas like the nose, ears and stomach. Furthermore, you will need to groom your pet in the summer months so that they are comfortable and not smothered by too much fur when it gets hot.