As summer temps continue to rise, we humans have the luxury of shedding our tees for tanks and pants for shorts, but our pups are still walking around with their fur coats on. Our dogs need exercise and fresh air–just like us–so it’s important to know how your specific dog can best prepare to handle the summer heat.
Protect those paws
Did you know that when it’s 77°F out asphalt can hit 125°F which is hot enough to burn skin in under 60 seconds. A good rule of thumb is, if you can’t hold the back of your hand to the sidewalk for seven seconds, it’s too hot for your pup’s paws.
To best protect their paws while getting plenty of exercise, take your walks early in the morning or later at night after sunset when sidewalks will be cooler. If your schedule doesn’t allow for early mornings or late nights, take your dog to the dog park or on walks around on grass or shaded trails.
Cooling Off
The main way that dogs are able to cool themselves off is by panting, which releases heat from their lungs. Since dogs don’t sweat they release the heat in their bodies through their nose and paw pads, which is why it’s extra important to keep them protected. A wet nose usually means that a dog is pretty well hydrated, noses can be a little dryer in the summer months, but a bone dry nose can be cause for concern. If your dog is having a runny nose, it is a sign they are overheating and need to cool down ASAP.
Bring plenty of water on your walks and even some paw wax if you live in an especially warm area. If you are driving with your dog you need to blast the A/C to cool them down, and make sure the seats aren’t too hot before getting in.
Staying Hydrated
First, make sure that their water is fresh, there’s nothing worse than warm icky water. Put ice cubes in their water to cool it off and make it a little more refreshing. Like we already said, always bring water with you on walks, but if you forget your local coffee shops are usually happy to give a cup of ice water to a thirsty dog (and maybe even a pup cup for later).
You can freeze hydrating treats like watermelon or some chicken broth (sans onion and garlic of course) cut with water for doggie popsicles. If your dog is feeling extra bougie, coconut water is a great hydrating treat for them!
Breed Differences
Dogs with flat faces, like bulldogs, pugs, and shih tzus are more likely to overheat because of their short airways. Larger dogs bred for colder climates like huskies, bernese mountain dogs, labs, doodles, and shepherds have energy to burn, but their thick coats make the summer months difficult because they are more prone to overheating and heat induced stress. With these dogs, just pay extra special attention to signs of heat exhaustion and work to limit their exposure to the hottest parts of the day.
Summer should be fun for everyone, and with these heat protection tips, we hope that your dog is even better prepared to get in on your exciting summer adventures. As always, if you have any concerns, please reach out to your vet to discuss the best course of action for your pup!
