« Back

Summer Safety Tips for Dog Owners: How to Keep Your Dog Cool and Safe This Summer

27/06/2022 - Safety Advice

#Heatwave was a trending topic on social media last week as the UK hit highs of 32C. It’s time to book that summer getaway with your dog!
 
Other countries may scoff at our British excitement over the meagre figure. However, for dogs used to the temperate UK climate, a sudden temperature rise can spell danger if dog owners are ill-prepared.
 
Here are 6 ways you can ensure your canine is kept cool - and safe - in the summer heat.

1)Don’t leave your dog in the car

Despite the fact that the ‘dogs die in hot cars’ adage seems too familiar and obvious these days, dogs are - sadly - still dying in hot cars. It’s rarely that the owner is being intentionally cruel, more that they’re oblivious to the dangers.
 
Leaving your dog alone in the car, can always pose a risk of theft, but you should never leave them in temperatures over 20C. 20C may not seem that hot, but the inside of the car will rise beyond this. And cracked windows or parking in the shade do very little to cool a car on a hot day.
 
On hot days, don’t risk their health - leave them at home instead.
 

2)Don’t walk your dog
 

Again, this is an all too familar message, yet we still see dogs being walked in full sun at the hottest times of the day. So many owners are still unaware of the high risk of heatstroke and paws injuries.
Avoid walking your dog between 11am-3pm on average summer days, but on hot days extend this significantly. Undertake short, calm walks as early as possible and as late as possible when it is much cooler. Avoid playing fetch or encouraging too much running around even when it’s cooler.
 
Missing one walk won’t hurt your dog. Substitute your walk for calming activities, enrichment games and rest at home.
 
If your dog HAS to go outs (If you live in a flat or they refuse to wee in the garden), keep your toilet trips to an absolute minimum (2 or 3 minutes), walk on grass verges not pavements and stick to shaded areas.

3)Use damp towels or Buy a paddling pool

Laying down a wet towel for your dog to lie on goes a long way to providing some relief from the heat. And Paddling pools aren’t just for kids! These can be a great way to ensure your dog has somewhere to cool off either inside or if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the garden.
 
Cooling a dog’s paw pads is a quick, easy, stress-free way to cool down your dog. Once you’ve filled up the pool you can leave your dog to enjoy it for the rest of the day. And enjoy it they will - paddling pools are as exciting for dogs as they are for human kids! Give your dog some time to splash about and have fun!


4)Close the curtains and rethink opening windows

If your dog’s going to be home alone for a period of time and your house isn’t naturally cool, opening the windows and pulling the curtains closed can help keep out the heat.
 
However, only open the windows if the temperature is lower outside than it is inside - and if there’s a cool breeze.
 
Throwing open the windows when it’s sweltering outside will only serve to further heat up your home. In this case, keep them closed with the curtains drawn and only open them again once the sun goes down.
 
If the house is really stifling, use fans throughout.


5)Don’t spend long periods on hot sand or asphalt

On particularly hot days, sand, artificial grass and pavements can heat up exponentially. You’ll know this if you’ve ever had to run hurriedly on tiptoes across the sand from your towel to the sea.
 
Admittedly, the above is more of an issue outside of the UK, but the artificial grass and asphalt on pavements and roads can become hot plates in soaring summer temperatures and can burn your dog’s paws.
 
If sticking to wooded or grassy areas isn’t an option on your dog walk, go out in the early morning when pavement surfaces haven’t yet heated up, or after sundown when they’re cooling.
 
Also consider protection balms for dogs’ paws. Musher’s Secret is a good one that creates a breathable barrier between paw and ground.


6)Use a mist spray

 
Simply filling an old spray bottle with cool water is a nifty, portable way to give your dog some heat relief. It’s particularly useful on long journeys in the car (where you may not want to be laying down wet towels).
 
Although mist sprays for humans are to be sprayed on the face, spray your dog on his body or paw pads instead.