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As temperatures soar, it's important to keep your pup cool and safe. Dogs rely on panting and paw sweating to cool down. However these are pretty ineffective methods, particularly with the temperatures we've had recently!

Here I will help you learn the signs your dog is too hot, what temperatures to be wary of, and ensure that you know how to help them keep cool. Don't forget… if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for them!

How hot is too hot?

Signs your dog may be too hot

How to keep your dog cool and safe

Go for early morning and late evening walks

The mornings will be coolest for around 30-60 minutes after sunrise, so you don't have to insist on going out in the dark. In the evenings as the sun sets, the temperature is likely to drop quite rapidly. The best thing to do is check the temperature of the air (we have a thermometer outside) and have a bare foot wander on the pavement to ensure it's OK to head out.

Keep to these grass instead of paths

As you can see above, the pavement can get extremely hot… and it is a lot hotter than the air temperature. As a general rule, if it's too hot for your bare feet, it's too hot for their paws. Bear in mind that just because the mornings and evenings are cooler, doesn't mean that the pavement isn't still hot!

Use cooling products

Products like the All for Paws “Chill Out” strawberry ice cream from Animed*, cooling mats, bandanas, and so much more are available to help keep your furry friend cool on hot days.

Keep them in the shade (if you can)

Jessie just loves to be outside, and we have invested in a large parasol to try and give her shade. She's 100% solar powered though and loves to be in the sun! Plus she's nosy, and likes to watch the goings on out in the park and world beyond our garden.

Keep them hydrated

This may seem like a given, but it's important to remember to keep your pup hydrated. A few simple ways to do this include:

Make frozen dog treats from water or low-sodium bone broth.

N.B. You can also include small amounts of dog safe fruit and veg with a high water content to your frozen treats. These include strawberries, cucumber, watermelon, celery, and blueberries.

Ensure constant access to clean, fresh water around your home.
Carry a portable water bottle and bowl for your dog to have a drink when you're away from home.
Add water or low-sodium bone broth to your dog's kibble.

Brachycephalic breeds like Jessie and those with thick coats are particularly susceptible, so it's key you know what to do in a heatwave to keep them safe. Hopefully with this short post I've shared everything you need to prepare for heatwaves this summer!

For more blog posts on pets from must haves to going on pet friendly adventures, check out my pets category here. Have you got ideas of house and pet you'd like to see? Feel free to share your ideas in the comments below.