Top 10 Tips for Keeping Your Pets Safe in the Summer Heat
Keeping dogs safe in hot weather is crucial because dogs are highly susceptible to heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, which can be fatal. Unlike humans, dogs cannot sweat efficiently, so they rely on panting and releasing heat through their paw pads to regulate their body temperature. In hot weather, this natural cooling mechanism may not be enough to prevent overheating.
Here's why it's important to prioritize their safety:
Heat Stroke: This is a life-threatening condition where a dog's body temperature rises dangerously high. It can cause organ damage, seizures, and even death.
Dehydration: Hot weather increases the risk of dehydration, which can lead to serious health complications.
Sunburn: Dogs with short fur or exposed skin can get sunburned, just like humans.
Paw Pad Burns: Hot pavement and surfaces can burn a dog's paw pads, causing pain and discomfort.
Follow these recommendations to keep your dog cool and safe in hot weather:
Walk during cooler hours: Change the time of day you walk your dog to early morning hours or the evening to ensure your dog (and you) get plenty of outdoor time while avoiding the time of day that is peak heat.
Stay hydrated: Keep your pet dog hydrated with lots of water breaks. We love collapsible bowls which you can carry on your walk and refill from your water bottle. Ensuring your pet dog always has access to cold fresh water is a great way to ensure dehydration is avoided. Check out our favorite collapsible bowl here—it even includes a carabiner so you can keep it handy.
Check the pavement for heat: Checking the pavement for heat before walking your dog is essential to prevent painful burns on their paw pads. Pavement, especially asphalt, can heat up quickly in hot weather, reaching temperatures that can cause severe damage to your dog's sensitive paws.
Here are some ways to check the pavement temperature:
Touch Test: Place the back of your hand on the pavement for 5-7 seconds. If it's too hot for you to hold it there, it's too hot for your dog's paws.
The Seven-Second Rule: Try standing barefoot on the pavement for seven seconds. If you can't do it comfortably, neither can your dog.
Use a Thermometer: If you have an infrared thermometer, you can measure the pavement's temperature directly.
By taking a few moments to check the pavement before heading out for a walk, you can help protect your dog from painful injuries and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for both of you.
4. Watch for signs that your dog is overheating. We have to be diligent when we are keeping our pets safe when it's hot because heat stroke is a common problem for pets in warmer weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are especially prone to heat stroke, along with overweight pets, those with extremely thick fur coats, or any pet with upper respiratory problems such as laryngeal paralysis or collapsing trachea. Some of the signs of heat stroke in your pet are:
Heavy panting and unable to calm down, even when lying down
Brick red gum color
Fast pulse rate
Unable to get up
If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally.
If the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by moving your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Continue to get them cool by applying ice packs or cold towels to their head, neck, and chest, or run cool (not cold) water over them. Let them drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees.
Bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.
5. Use paw protection Using paw protection for dogs in hot weather is crucial for safeguarding their sensitive paw pads from the scorching heat of pavements and other surfaces. These surfaces can quickly reach temperatures that can cause severe burns and discomfort for your furry friend. Paw protection is great for preventing burns, and reducing the risk of heatstroke, and can be used for cold weather protection too. We suggest booties for the protection of your pup’s paws. The specific brand or style depends on your dog size and preferences but our favorites are these.
6. Take shade breaks: Be sure to spend lots of time in the shade and take shade breaks when you are walking your dog on hot days. At Dogs Go Hiking, we are a team of trained professionals specializing in canine enrichment ensuring your pup has a healthy, balanced outing chock full of adventures and socialization with other well-behaved canines. This includes taking lots of shade breaks when the weather is warm so we can keep your pet healthy and happy!
7. Never leave your pet in a hot vehicle-even for a few minutes. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees even with the windows cracked open. This is such a scary scenario and at Dogs Go Hiking, we love dogs so much we hope this never happens!
8. Limit exercise on hot days. Exercise in the early morning or evening hours. Take care when exercising your pet. Adjust the intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing. And of course, always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.
9. Walk your pet in the grass if possible, to avoid hot surfaces burning their paws. This is a simple way to ensure you still have that great outdoor time but avoid unintentionally injuring your pet or contributing to heatstroke risks.
10. Watch the humidity: Watching humidity levels is crucial for pet dogs because high humidity significantly hinders their ability to regulate body temperature, increasing the risk of heatstroke. Dogs primarily cool down through panting, which involves the evaporation of moisture from their lungs and tongue. When the air is humid, it's already saturated with moisture, making it difficult for this evaporation to occur efficiently. "High humidity amplifies the negative impact of high temperature on your pet—and in combination, these factors magnify the danger zone," says Dr. Barbara Hodges, DVM, MBA, of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.