Dog Care in Summer

When is it too hot to walk my dog?

As a rule of thumb, you can walk your dog at any temperature below 20°C.

Most dogs will be comfortable walking between 15°C – 25°C. However, this depends on their age, breed, size, coat length, amount of exercise involved and their general health and fitness.

Remember, the hotter the temperature, the higher the risk to your dog. Some dogs are at higher risk than others. If your dog fits one of the following categories, be extra cautious: 

• Overweight dogs
• Brachycephalic breeds, such as Pugs and French Bulldogs
• Older dogs over 8 years old
• Younger dogs under 6 months old

More dogs die from hot walks than in hot cars.

To keep your dog safe and healthy when it’s hot outside, we recommend the following:

• Walk them before 8am and/or after 8pm
• Avoid middle of the day as that will be when temperatures are at their hottest
• Make sure you offer them plenty of fresh water
• Choose to walk in the shade where you can
• Leave the ball at home, keep the pace slow and avoid over-exercising your dog

If in doubt, do the tarmac test – if you can’t hold your hand down on the tarmac for five seconds, then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.

Is it okay to leave my dog in the car?

Don’t risk it. Whether you are nipping to the shop or going out for a few hours, it is not worth taking the chance.

Leaving an animal in a hot car can have fatal consequences and lead to prosecution. For more information, please read our advice article on leaving dogs in hot cars.

How do I know if my dog is overheating or suffering from heatstroke?

If you start to suspect signs of heatstroke in a dog, it’s important you act quickly.

Signs of heatstroke may include:

• Heavy panting
• Breathing issues
• Excessive drooling
• Lethargy 
• Loss of coordination
• Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
• Collapsing

If the dog is showing any signs of heatstroke, then they need to be seen by a vet urgently. Before moving them, you should cool your dog down as quickly as possible.

Firstly, do the following:

1) Pour very cold water on them or immerse them in very cold water. If immersing them, ensure you keep their head above water and safely get them out again once they are wet.

2) Move your dog to a cool, shared or air conditioned area and get someone to start cooling the car down.

3) Let your vet know that you are on your way with a suspected heatstroke case so they can prepare for your arrival.

4) Keep your dog cool by placing very cold, wet towels on their groin, armpits and neck.

Important: Do not place wet towels over the dog as this can trap in the heat. 

The water you use to cool down your dog should be as cold as possible. Ice cold water will not cause cold shock to a dog in heatstroke. This is a myth that is not supported by evidence from human medicine. See this article by Vet Voices for more information.

Once your dog is cooled, please take them to a nearby vet as a matter of urgency.

How do I keep my dog hydrated in Summer?

Make sure you give your dog plenty of opportunities to drink cool, fresh water and monitor how much they’re drinking.

We recommend placing multiple bowls in different spots around your house and garden so they don’t have too far to go if they need to have a drink.

You can also try offering ice cubes with treats frozen into them, or frozen Kongs. You can even encourage your dog to drink more by adding a dash of goats’ milk to a bowl of water. However, please bear in mind that whilst most dogs can tolerate goats’ milk better than cows’ milk, do not offer this if your dog has previously had an upset stomach after consuming milk.

Should I groom my dog in Summer?

If you want your dog to stay cooler in hot weather and reduce the risk of it getting heatstroke then it needs a shorter, thinner coat. If you do not want to clip your dog’s coat all over you could compromise by clipping short the areas underneath ie armpits, chest, abdomen, groin.

If you want to help keep your dog cool through grooming, regular brushing is key – especially if they are a double coated breed. A tangle free coat will help them naturally take care of themselves. Use this opportunity to check your dog regularly for fleas, signs of skin irritation or to remove any grass seeds that may have become stuck in their coat.

Is swimming good for dogs in Summer?

Many dogs may love to jump in the water to cool down, but there are several things you should keep in mind:

• If your dog is not interested in swimming, don’t make them
• If your dog is used to swimming, don’t push them too much as this can lead to them swallowing too much water and water intoxication
• Make sure they have access to a fresh bowl of water to drink
• Avoid lakes and rivers with blue-green algae – if in doubt, do not let your dog near them as this is often fatal to dogs
• If in the sea, make sure they don’t ingest large quantities of sea water
• After swimming, rinse your dog off with clean water to remove chlorine, chemicals and other possible debris 
• If rinsing with a hose, run the water for a few minutes before wetting the dog as the water that remains in the hose can get extremely hot
• Afterwards, dry your dog well, especially in any skin folds and the ears

Can my dog get sunburned?

Just like us, dogs can suffer from sunburn, especially short-haired breeds, dogs with light hair and dogs with a thin or patchy coat, or dogs with areas of pink skin visible on their face or nose.

If it’s sunny enough for you to apply sun cream, the reality is that your pet will probably need some protection too. You can apply a specially formulated sun cream to any areas where your pet’s fur is thin i.e. their nose, their ear tips and tummy.

Before applying any cream to your pet, ensure that the sun cream you are using is pet safe.

If you have clipped your dog’s coat to keep them cool, please make sure it is not shaved too close to the skin, as this will leave them more at risk of sunburn.

5 tips to keep your dog cool this Summer

1) Avoid walking in high temperatures and in the middle of the day
2) Provide plenty of water
3) Provide plenty of shade
4) Pay extra attention to dogs at higher risk
5) Never leave a dog unattended in a car – it’s not worth the risk