4 steps to protecting your dog in a heatwave
Heatwaves can be insufferable, but they’d be even worse if you had to endure them wearing a furry jacket. For our closest companions, the summer can be a struggle for them to stay cool and not become overly exhausted. By making a few simple swaps at home, you can keep your dog happy, hydrated, and relaxed in the sun.
Read on to see how you can help cool your dog down on even the sunniest of days.
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1. Plan walks accordingly
When the sun is shining, be careful when you walk your dog, as some light exercise may be putting them at increased harm.
Dr Linda Simon, resident vet at Pooch & Mutt, explains ‘During a heatwave, a normal walk can quickly become dangerous for dogs. The mistake many owners make is assuming that if the sun has gone in, it must be safe. But pavements, roads and built-up areas can hold heat for hours, meaning an evening walk can still be risky.’
This time can be understood as the ‘no-walk window’, where pets should be kept in the shade indoors. Typically, this is when temperatures reach over 24 °C. You should aim to walk your pet outside of this time to make sure that they don’t overheat.
If you don’t have a pet but have a neighbour, friend, or family member with a pet, offering to help walk them before or after work can be a fun activity that takes the stress off of planning walks. If you work from home, checking on their pet during the day can also make sure that they’re staying cool.
‘The no-walk window is about giving owners a simple, practical way to protect their pets,’ Dr Linda continues. ‘Dogs still need stimulation, but during extreme heat, swap walks for garden toilet breaks, indoor enrichment, sniffing games and shaded rest.
‘As a rule, I would urge owners to avoid walking during the hottest part of the day altogether and to be especially careful once temperatures reach the mid-twenties. No dog will suffer from missing one walk, but heatstroke can become life-threatening very quickly.’
3. Provide plenty of water
It may be the first advice that comes to mind, but having plenty of fresh water available for your dog is more important than you think.
If your dog sleeps in the day or doesn’t run to the food bowl straight away, encourage them to drink by keeping fresh, cold water in their eyesight.
Hold your dog’s bowl, reward them for drinking and share a few words of encouragement. Never force your dog to drink water, though. Ensure that fresh water is always available and consult your vet if you’re concerned about your dog not drinking enough.
How much water a dog should be drinking can vary based on factors such as size, breed and diet. Rather than tracking a set amount of water that your dog needs to drink, make sure that you check that they’re visiting their water bowl and understand the symptoms of dehydration to be wary of among dogs.
Just a small prompt from their owner to drink throughout the day can keep them on track to the goal.
3. Make indoor playtime engaging
When long daytime walks are no longer an option, you can make indoor playtime just as exciting and mentally engaging for your pet.
Toys that provide slow-release treats can also keep your dog thinking and engaging for longer, with some chilled treats helping cool them down in the process.
Some toys, when cleaned properly, may be labelled as freezer-friendly. Simply fill the toy with a couple of your dog’s favourite treats, wrap it up safely away from contact with any food, and share it with them to play with during the hottest hours of the day.
4. Prepare cooling treats
It’s hard to find a dog who doesn’t get excited every time they see their owner reach for the treat tin, and a cooling snack gives them another reason to get excited.
Be careful to check that any snack you’re making doesn’t include an ingredient that dogs can’t eat. Dogs are allergic to products like grapes, chocolate, caffeine and alcohol, having potentially fatal side effects.
If your dog craves a cooling drink rather than a chewy snack, dog-friendly mocktails can be a tasty treat for them to enjoy. Looking for inspiration? Dogs Trust’s Paw-star Martini is a great place to start, which uses ingredients you may already have in the freezer:
With the simplest of ingredients, your dogs can taste a cooling snack to devour on a hot day. Dogs Trust also recommends mashing two bananas, three tablespoons of peanut butter and a tablespoon of coconut oil together and freezing in an ice cube mould tray. It’s simple, easy, packed with flavours that dogs love and can be left in the freezer overnight.
You may even be able to pick up a dog-friendly frozen treat for your dog from the supermarket, with more retailers offering dog-friendly ice creams for you to buy alongside your own favourite iced snacks.
How to understand heatstroke in pets
Similar to heatstroke in humans, pets will show symptoms of heatstroke that owners should recognise as soon as possible to look after their pets’ health. When a dog is battling heatstroke, they may share symptoms of:
- Vomiting
- Confusion and collapsing
- Excessive drooling
- Very pale or bright red gums
- Weakness and wobbling
Dr Linda Simon shares, ‘If you think your dog is overheating, move them into shade or a cool room. Offer small amounts of water and pour cool, not ice-cold, water over the whole body (but not the head). You should contact a vet straight away, as heatstroke is an emergency.’
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. If your pet is exhibiting the symptoms of heatstroke, take them to the vet urgently.
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