With summer days getting hotter and hotter each year, keeping your dog cool and active becomes a greater challenge. This is especially true for pet owners who live in regions that face the brunt of the scorching heat.
Unlike humans, dogs don’t have sweat glands, making them highly susceptible to heat stress and overheating. As such, you have to make some adjustments to ensure that you’re not unknowingly risking your dog’s health by doing the same routine that you’d do in the cooler months.
That said, you shouldn’t let your dog simply stay at home and live a sedentary lifestyle either. This can make them feel agitated and aggressive, which can manifest in a number of negative ways. Fortunately, there are several ways you can keep your dog both cool and active during the peak of summer.
If you’re looking for strategies to get your dog active during these months, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn about some simple and effective strategies to keep your pup happy, safe, and energised in the summer months.
Let’s jump straight into it!
1. Bring Your Dog Outside During Cooler Hours
The summer heat tends to be harshest when the sun is at its highest point. Anytime between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. is usually quite hot, making it unideal for taking your furry pal on walks outside.
The summer heat, coupled with your dog’s physical exertion and the hot pavement, can make mid-day walks very uncomfortable for your four-legged pal.
To maximise your dog’s comfort during summer walks, consider starting them earlier or later in the day when the sun is no longer up in the sky. Walking your dog earlier is typically the better option, as the pavement is still cool from the night, and your dog’s energy is at its highest after a long slumber.
Typically, walking your dog between 6 to 8 AM is a great window for your dog to get some exercise in. This time is also not the most busy, reducing distractions and safety hazards on the road and making your dog more at ease with the environment.
If you can’t walk dogs at that time, anytime after 5:00 PM can be a decent time to walk your dog. If you’re walking your dog at night or when it’s dark out, let your dog wear a hazard reflector to ensure that they’re visible to oncoming traffic and other pedestrians.
By walking your dog during the cooler hours, you can let them exercise and play in a safe manner. This will help keep them happy and healthy even if the weather outside may not be the most ideal during the majority of the day.
2. Keep Your Dog Hydrated
With the unrelenting heat of the summer months, it’s essential to watch over your dog’s water intake and ensure that they’re constantly drinking enough of this liquid.
As a rule of thumb, dogs should drink one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. This can translate to four to six cups of water a day, depending on your dog’s size and breed. Drinking this much water ensures that they remain hydrated throughout the day and compensate for the hotter temperatures outside.
To ensure that they get enough hydration, be sure to constantly fill up their water bowls so that they can drink anytime they want to. Put the water bowl in an accessible place near their resting area. You can also bring a portable water bowl with you if you’re planning to go on long walks during the summer months to ensure that you have a constant water source.
If you want to increase their comfort even further, you can consider adding ice cubes to the water bowl for the water to cool down. Or, you can simply pour fridge-cooled water straight into their bowl. This way, they’ll feel refreshed, active, and hydrated no matter the temperature outside.
3. Find Alternative Forms of Play
On some days, you could be looking at constant heat even without the sun’s presence. In such cases, it’s important to keep your dog’s welfare in mind and keep them at home for the time being.
This doesn’t mean you should neglect their exercise needs, however. It’s important to get them to exercise even during these days when they’re stuck at home. And truth be told, there are many ways you can meet your canine’s needs.
You can engage with your dog through a variety of indoor activities. For instance, you can use dog water toys in your lawn or backyard to allow them to have fun under the sun while still remaining cool. You can also play games inside with puzzle toys and treat-dispensing toys.
By opting for these alternative forms of play, you can help physically and mentally stimulate them without risking their health. This, in turn, can keep them healthy, happy, and active even during the peak of summer.
4. Provide Shade Outdoors
If your dog enjoys spending time outdoors even during the summer months, or if they often undergo training in an outdoor dog kennel, then you should accommodate their needs by providing them with a shaded spot to keep them cool.
Shade structures provide a comfortable area that can reduce your pup’s risk of overheating or getting dehydrated. These structures also protect them from harsh UV rays, which can damage skin cells and are major health risks that could lead to a slew of other health issues later on.
The good news is that there are many types of shade that you can prop up in your front yard or lawn for them to enjoy summer.
For instance, canopies, umbrellas, and tents are some effective shade structures you can put up to lower your zone’s temperature. You can also place a cooling mat or a fan outdoors to regulate your dog’s temperature more easily.
By providing shade, you’ll allow your dog to enjoy the fresh air outdoors while simultaneously keeping them safe—the best of both worlds.
5. Use Cooling Accessories
If you’re planning to go on a hike or to the beach with your dog, then letting them wear a cooling accessory can greatly enhance their quality of life in these places.
Cooling items can range from simple bandanas to more complex cooling vests. These clothing wear can help in regulating your pup’s body temperature as they engage in strenuous activities, whether it’s trekking through a mountain trail or frolicking by the seashore.
One particularly useful cooling accessory to get is paw boots. These boots help protect your dog’s paws from hot pavement and sand. Another way to keep them cool, especially if you’re lounging in an area for a long time (like at a picnic), is by placing a cooling mat underneath them.
With these items, your dog can feel pleasant and cool during their adventures even if it’s hot out!
6. Watch for Signs of Overheating
Even if you’ve adopted all the above tips, it’s still possible for dogs to face heat exhaustion due to abnormally high temperatures outside. As such, it’s important to recognise the signs of overheating to ensure that your dog’s health won’t be at stake due to avoidable negligence.
Some signs of canine heat exhaustion and overheating include the following:
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Excessive panting
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Drooling
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Lethargy
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Bright red gums
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Unsteady movements
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Confusion
If your dog displays any or a combination of the above symptoms, stop what you’re doing and place them somewhere cool and shaded immediately. Offer them cool water and use a damp towel to gradually restore their body temperature to a lower level.
Knowing the warning signs can help you react immediately to a potentially dangerous situation and avoid catastrophe. If your dog’s heat stroke symptoms are not improving or are severe, contact a vet immediately to begin treatment.
We hope these tips will serve you well in the summer months. All the best!
