With temperatures soaring across much of the world this summer, it can be hard to find ways to keep yourself cool. Now imagine you were wearing a fur coat all day. Doesn’t sound too fun, does it?
Well, that’s the reality for our fluffy companions, so we need to take extra care of them when a hot spell hits.
"Dogs are almost entirely reliant on panting as a way to reduce their body temperature, and that's a much less efficient way to reduce temperature than sweating," Dr Victoria Phillips, veterinary surgeon manager at Dogs Trust, tells BBC Science Focus.
"They're also not very good at self-regulating, so won't think, 'Oh, it's getting a bit hot, I ought to slow down."
Thankfully, there are plenty of simple things you can do to help your pooch stay calm and happy, even as the mercury tops out on thermometers.
1. Walk your dog in the mornings and evenings
Much like us, exercise is a surefire way to make your dog overheat if the Sun is out in full force.
One recent study, for example, found that nearly 75 per cent of cases of heat-related illness in UK dogs were because of exertion. 67.5 per cent of those were from walking only, meaning even moderate exercise can cause dogs to overheat.
But dogs still need exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle, so simply not walking them isn’t an option.
One piece of advice the Kennel Club, the oldest such organisation in the world, offers to owners is to take them out for their walkies early in the morning, or later in the evening than you usually would.
You’ll probably thank yourself for doing this too, since it means you’ll work up less of a sweat when moving.
undefined
2. Keep them hydrated
Again, this one is simple, and it's the same advice health officials give to people during heatwaves.
If you must venture out with your dog, make sure you take enough water for yourself as well as them to keep liquid levels where they need to be.
Since dogs can’t drink from bottles as we can, this also means you’ll need to carry a bowl for them to slurp from everywhere you go.
Read more:
- Here are the secret ways your dog is communicating with you
- Does my dog love me? Here’s how to know for sure
- Time with dogs could help improve your concentration, study finds
3. Get your dog a harness
In the UK and most states in the US, having a collar on your dog with identifiable information is a legal requirement when in public. This applies even if the dog is microchipped.
That said, collars can be a menace when hot weather strikes.
This is because when leads pull on a collar, they press on the dog’s airways which stops them from cooling down as effectively. Panting is a crucial way for dogs to cool down, and interrupting this process can be dangerous.
"At Dogs Trust, we recommend using a harness unless there's a specific reason that you need to walk your dog using the lead and collar," Phillips adds.
4. Keep an eye out for symptoms of heat stress or stroke
Any dog can develop heat stroke in warmer weather, although flat-faced breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs are most at risk.
Phillips also highlights puppies, older dogs, those with pre-existing conditions and especially obese dogs as being vulnerable.
"When a dog is obese, it's got a bigger body weight, but the body surface area isn't necessarily that much bigger," Phillips says. "So the lung capacity is trying to reduce the body heat for a larger muscle mass, but the lungs are still the same size as if the dog was slimmer."
Phillips points to a few key symptoms to look out for. These are:
- Heavy panting, even when not exercising
- Breathing problems, particularly in flat-faced dogs
- Tiredness
- Stiffness or an unwillingness to move
- Opening mouth wider than usual
- Excessive drooling and tongue lolling out
- Being sick
- Diarrhoea
- Collapse
- Fitting
Heatstroke in dogs is very serious. If you suspect your dog might be suffering from it, contact a vet immediately while employing other techniques for cooling them down.
"I'd call a vet at any of these stages because they can just talk you through it. The latest advice is to call first, transport second," Phillips says
Fanning them or carefully pouring water over their neck, tummy and inner thighs is a good place to start. Also get them to a cool spot, ideally airconditioned. Phillips doesn't recommend putting a wet towel over them, though, as this can obstruct airflow.
5. Remember pavements can be hot on the paws
We’ve all made the mad barefoot dash across the beach from parasol to parasol on a hot day. It feels more like running on hot coals than a pleasurable stroll on the beach by that point.
Dogs, as you may have noticed, are barefoot all the time, and during heatwaves, paved areas get particularly scorching.
A quick test you can carry out yourself is to place your hand on the pavement first – if it’s too hot to keep it there for five seconds, then it will be painful on your dog's foot pads. Best to stick to the grass if that’s the case.
6. Consider taking them for a paddle
If you’re lucky enough to have access to a pool on a hot day, you know how nice it can be to take a quick dip.
Dogs love a good paddle too, and while you may not want to let them in a proper pool (although you can bet they’ve tried to get in before), a pooch paddling pool could be a great way to let them chill out.
Not to mention they’ll have a blast splashing about in there too. Who doesn’t want to see that?
7. Be careful on car journeys
During the summer heat, cars can often feel more like an oven than a way of getting around.
You should never leave your dog in the car by themselves when it’s hot out – if you do have to take them somewhere, make sure it's pet friendly.
Other ways to make the car journey more enjoyable for them include taking cold water in a thermos, making regular stops on the way and using window sunshades in the back.
8. Offer them a frozen treat
Just as you might enjoy an ice cream on a hot day, your dog will enjoy an ice-cold treat too.
Obviously, don’t give them an ice cream or lolly – those aren’t good for them. Instead, why not pop some ice cubes in their water?
Even better, chuck one of their favourite toys in the freezer for a few hours and let them have a good old icy chew in the hottest parts of the day.
9. Give them a lie down on a damp towel
On average, nighttime temperatures are rising faster than days across most of the US, according to the 2018 National Climate Assessment Report. This has deadly consequences since higher temperatures at night reduce our ability to cool down from the day’s heat.
So, while it might not be your first choice for a comfortable night's kip, chucking a damp towel on your dog's bed will help make them help them rest up after a hot day.
10. Give them a haircut
Not only will cutting your dog’s coat have them looking sharp for the summer months, but it’s also a great way to make them feel more comfortable. This is particularly pertinent if they have a long or heavy coat.
It’s pretty gross, but your dog’s sweat glands are located in their feet. So, keeping hair on the paws nice and trimmed will help them evaporate more sweat, losing more heat in the process.
Groomers also recommend keeping legs and stomach extra short as this can enhance heat loss.
- For more advice on caring for your dog during hot weather, head to the Dogs Trust website.
About our expert
Victoria Phillips is a veterinary surgeon manager at Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog charity. She has 18 years of experience in the veterinary field.
Read more: