Temperatures are rising across the UK and with this unexpected heat, it’s important to focus on how it could affect your dog. The hot weather can be really difficult for dogs and in worst-case scenarios, can really have a drastic effect on your dog’s health. The following tips have been gathered to help you make sure your dog is cool and comfortable on these hot summer days.
The Best Cooling Products
There are some fantastic products available within the pet industry to help keep your dog cool throughout the day. Laying in the sun is always a nice experience for dogs, but if they don’t have access to enough water then this can be really bad for them. Just like humans, dogs can experience heatstroke, so now is the time to stock up on some essential cooling products to keep them entertained and cool all at the same time. Whether you invest in a dog paddling pool, some dog-friendly ice-pops or even toys that you pop into the freezer to keep them refreshed in the heat, giving them something cold and refreshing will make a huge difference to how they feel and behave.
Where to pick up some of the essential cooling products for your dog:
- Petwell – stocking a wide selection of Easidri cooling products
- Rosewood – their own range Chillax for cool dog toys
- All For Paws – stocking their own range of essentials including paddling pools in their Chill Out range
Best Practices in the Car
If you have to take your dog out in the car during a hot summers day then you need to ensure you’re following the best practices to keep your dog safe. A hot vehicle can be extremely dangerous for your dog, so it’s crucial that you make sure it’s cool for them. Firstly, you should never leave your dog in the car alone. If you do and someone sees your dog and thinks they’re overheating or struggling, they are entitled to call 999 and your dog could be freed from your vehicle by the emergency services. To keep your dog safe when travelling in the car, be sure to keep windows open for them to get plenty of fresh air, or alternatively keep the air con on for them to stay cool. Make sure you fit plenty of stops in to ensure they have water and food and don’t forget to let them out for a toilet break every hour or so.
Dogs and Heatstroke
As mentioned above, dogs are just as likely to experience heat stroke on a hot summers day. Dogs cannot sweat like humans, with their heat-releasing through their paw pads and nose (which helps to regulate their body temperature). If your dog is exposed to too much heat, they will overheat and struggle to regulate their temperature, resulting in heatstroke.
How to spot if your dog is suffering from heatstroke:
- collapsing, excessive panting, dribbling, struggle moving
When to Walk
Everyone wants to enjoy the sunshine during a beautiful day, but imagine having a thick coat of fur and delicate paw pads that are directly on the hot path, it’s not an ideal situation. With this in mind, it’s important to walk your dog at sensible times during a hot day. First thing in the morning and last thing at night are the best times to go for a dog walk, as the pavements and weather will be cool. The worst time to take your pooch out is in the middle of the afternoon, as you risk them overheating and getting heatstroke, burning their paw pads on the hot path and so on.
