Dogs overheat very quickly so we must ensure that we’re paying attention to how they are coping in warm weather. We should be taking measures to keep them cool and regularly checking for any signs that they are struggling in the heat. It doesn’t take what we class as a ‘heatwave’ for dogs to struggle, even at temperatures around 20° celsius, dogs can be at risk of heatstroke, which can be fatal.
The heat can be particularly uncomfortable and potentially dangerous to some types of dogs, like very young or elderly dogs, overweight dogs, those with thick, heavy or fluffy coats, dark coloured dogs or those with short, flat faces like pugs and bulldogs.
Signs your dog is too hot or has heatstroke
- Heavy panting or strained breathing
- Lethargy, drowsiness, slow or uncoordinated movement
- Fur is hot to touch
- Excessive drooling
- Collapsing, vomiting and/or diarrhoea
If you spot any of these signs, get into a shady area and call your vet immediately.
In hot weather, do:
✔️ Go for much shorter walks with your dog and go early in the morning or later in the evening when the sun isn’t as strong and the ground is cooler for their paws.
✔️ Take water when you’re out and about and offer it to your dog regularly. You can buy travel water bowls and portable bottles for walks. There are lots of ways you can encourage your dog to drink more too, including making bone broth ice lollies (like we do at WagWorks for our member dogs!) and flavouring their drinking water.
✔️ Listen to your dog – if they’re slowing down, stopping, lying down to rest or breathing loudly then you shouldn’t be walking them!
✔️ Focus on low-energy enrichment in the house or garden, such as puzzle toys, a long-lasting chew in the shade, apple-bobbing in the paddling pool and frozen lick mats & Kongs!
✔️ Provide a cooling jacket or a cooling mat, both of which can be very effective. You can create a makeshift cooling mat by laying out damp towels or blankets for them to lie on. Never place a damp towel over your dog though as this can trap in heat.
✔️ Book in regular grooming and consider a shorter coat for the summer months.
✔️ Make sure there are plenty of shady spots for them in the garden and the house.
✔️ Have the curtains or blinds closed in one room of the house to keep the heat out and ensure the air is being circulated with fans or air conditioning.
And do not:
❌ Walk your dog on any surface in direct sunlight on a warm day – burnt paws are common and extremely painful! Even if it’s breezy the ground can still be too hot and this includes pavements, artificial grass and sand. If the ground is too hot to touch then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. If you’re unsure, place the back of your hand on the ground for seven seconds, if you struggle to keep it there then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. And when you’re out and about, continuously check the temperature of the pavement to ensure it’s not getting too hot.
❌ Leave your dog in a conservatory, outbuilding, caravan or car, even with windows open.
❌ Go for long walks, play with balls / sticks, or run with your dog. Stick to gentle, short walks in the shade, if at all.
❌ Apply sunscreen or insect repellent that is meant for humans and is not labeled specifically for animal-use. Human products are dangerous to dogs!
❌ Leave your dog unattended when they’re near bodies of water, no matter how good a swimmer they are.
❌ Ignore any signs of heatstroke – it can be fatal.
Remember: Dogs die of heatstroke but they will not die of missing a walk
If you’re feeling the heat, imagine what your four-legged friend is feeling 🥵. WagWorks’ clubs are fully air-conditioned so our member dogs can play, socialise and rest comfortably, without overheating. We even have homemade pupsicles and frozen lick mats for tasty, cooling snacks! You can also book your dog in for a full groom, quick trim or wash & go whilst they’re with us for daycare to keep them feeling fresh and cool throughout the summer.