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Beat the Heat!

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Chelsea Smales

This summer has been throwing us some serious heat waves and everyone’s feeling it.

Your dog is no different, and if anything, is even more susceptible to the effects of the hot sun.

Could you imagine wearing a winter coat all summer?! Dogs also can’t sweat like people do to reduce body temperature. They have sweat pads on their feet, but otherwise, they use panting as a way to let heat evaporate through their tongues.

Here are some tips to help keep your pup cool so you both can have fun in the sun!

Bring along a collapsible water dish and water so your dog can have a drink wherever you go. It is SO important for dogs to stay hydrated, just like people.
Offer an ice pack or damp towel for them to lie down on to reduce body temperature.
Replace some of their kibble with canned food: Canned food contains more water than kibble, so this will help them to stay hydrated.
Stay close to shade or bring a sun shade so there is a way out of the direct sun.
Avoid hot pavement. It would burn your bare feet to walk on hot pavement and it’s the same for dog’s sensitive pads. Use booties to prevent any heat burns if you have to be on the roads.
Limit exercise: Going for walks is fine, but if it’s blistering hot out, don’t go for long runs, agility training, etc.

*If you have a brachycephalic dog (short-faced dog), try and keep them out of the heat altogether. These dogs have an increased risk of breathing issues on a regular day, so a short walk on a hot day can be detrimental. Lying around in the A/C is best for these squishy pups.