How To Keep Your Dog Cool in the Summer

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Author: Carolyn McEwan 9 November 2022

Any dog owner will know the dangers that extreme heat can pose to their canine companion during the warmer months. Which is why knowing how to keep your dog cool in summer should be a top priority for all pet parents.

Dogs and hot weather are not a good match. Dogs do not sweat and while they are able to pant to help reduce overheating, cooling themselves down quickly and efficiently in higher temperatures and humidity can be really difficult. This is why they may need to rely on other measures to help keep themselves cool.

In this blog we’re going to take you through some of the things to look out for during warmer days, what the dangers of heat are for dogs, as well as a whole host of ways on how to keep your dog cool in the summer.

The dangers of heat for dogs - what to look out for

As they are unable to sweat, a dog will pant when they get too hot. The rapid breathing helps with water evaporation, which in turn assists in lowering a dog’s internal temperature.

For dogs to keep themselves cool on the outside, lying on cold surfaces or finding bodies of water to jump in can be super effective.

However, in particularly high temperatures and humidity it can be harder for dogs to keep themselves cool. If left without intervention, this can be extremely harmful - and even fatal.

Here are some of the symptoms to look out for, to indicate your dog may be suffering from the heat:

Rapid panting or laboured breathing
Excessive salivating
Increased heart rate
Tongue or gums that have turned bright red or blue
Dizziness or reduced coordination
Collapsing or loss of consciousness
In more severe cases: vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions or seizures

ALWAYS seek medical attention should your dog present with any of these symptoms.

How to protect your dog from hot weather - best ways to cool a dog down

While heat can be extremely dangerous for our furry friends, there are a bunch of ways in which we as pet parents can help reduce the effect of high temperatures and keep our dogs safe and comfortable during the warmer months.

Here are some of the best ways you can help keep your dog cool in hot weather:

Hydration - ALWAYS top of the list, keeping your dog hydrated is the top priority during hotter weather. Keep your dog’s water bowl topped up, and perhaps even put several bowls throughout the house so they can easily access water from wherever they are. If you are out and about, be sure to take bottles of water and a portable dog bowl with you.
Ensuring cool, shaded areas - Making sure there are cool indoor areas and surfaces where your dog can lay is extremely beneficial. Creating spaces that are blocked off from sunlight, with air conditioning or fans and ventilation (of course only turned on when you are present at home and able to monitor them) will ensure your dog always has a safe place to escape to when they get too warm.
Cooling activities - Giving your dog frozen treats (such as frozen food on a Lickimat), organising water play with a paddling pool and an amphibious water toy, and having a supply of cool damp towels to lay on are all excellent and stimulating ways to help keep your dog cool and happy when it’s hot.
Walking dogs in hot weather - Dog walking in heat can be dangerous, and during extremely high temperatures it is strongly advised to skip walks and find stimulating activities for your dog at home in a cooler environment. If the weather is warm but not to an unsafe level, it is recommended to walk your dog either in the morning or evening before the weather and pavements get too warm. Also make sure you take plenty of water with you to keep your dog hydrated, and take regular breaks in shaded spots if the heat starts to creep up.

How can PittaPatta Boutique help?

Possibly the most important thing in hot weather is hydration, for both dogs and humans alike. We’re able to take a handy water bottle with us, but what about our furry friends?

That’s where we can help! Here at PittaPatta we offer a range of portable dog bowls and bottles so you can keep your pup hydrated on the go.

Our bowls come in a range of colours, materials and styles, from foldable and collapsible options and bowls that clip onto bags for ease of travel, to water bottles with detachable bowls. Help your pup beat the heat with products from PittaPatta.