How to Protect Your Dog During Hot Summer Days

Adjust Walks and Outdoor Activities

Dogs cannot regulate their body temperature as efficiently as humans. They cool themselves mainly by panting and can sweat only through their paw pads. This means that even a walk that feels manageable to us may place considerable strain on a dog’s body.

On days when the temperature exceeds 30°C, longer walks should take place early in the morning, before the air and pavement have had time to heat up. Evenings are not always cool enough because roads, pavements and buildings continue to release the heat they absorbed during the day. If temperatures remain high, it is safer to take the dog outside only briefly for its essential needs.

Running, cycling with a dog, intense ball games and other strenuous activities should be avoided during a heatwave. Some dogs will continue playing enthusiastically even when their bodies are already overheating. Their willingness to run should therefore not be taken as proof that they are safe. Indoor scent games, food puzzles and short training exercises can provide mental stimulation without unnecessary physical strain.

Hot pavement can also burn a dog’s paw pads. Before going outside, place the back of your hand on the pavement for approximately five seconds. If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog’s paws. Whenever possible, choose shaded paths and grassy areas.

Keep Your Dog Cool and Hydrated

Fresh drinking water and a cool, shaded resting place must always be available. Placing several water bowls around the home can be helpful, particularly in larger houses or gardens. The water should be checked and refreshed regularly because it can warm up quickly.

Curtains and blinds can be closed in rooms exposed to direct sunlight, while safe ventilation can help keep the air moving. Cooling mats, cool floors or a damp towel placed on the floor can provide additional comfort. The dog should always be allowed to choose whether to use them.

Regular brushing can remove loose undercoat and improve airflow through the fur. However, a dog should not automatically be shaved, as some types of coat also provide protection from sunlight and heat.

A dog must never be left alone in a parked car, even for a few minutes, with the windows partly open or with the vehicle standing in the shade. The temperature inside can rise dangerously fast. When travelling, use air conditioning, carry fresh water and plan regular breaks in shaded locations.

Puppies, senior dogs, overweight dogs and those with heart or respiratory conditions require additional care. Flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers and Shih Tzus are particularly vulnerable because their shortened airways make cooling through panting less effective.

Recognise Heatstroke and Act Immediately

Heavy or continuous panting, excessive drooling, difficulty breathing, restlessness, weakness, confusion, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of coordination and unusually red or purple gums can all indicate dangerous overheating. Collapse or loss of consciousness means the dog is in critical condition. Heatstroke is a veterinary emergency and can become fatal if treatment is delayed.

Move the dog immediately into a cool, well-ventilated area and contact a veterinarian. Begin cooling the dog before travelling to the clinic by pouring cool tap water over its body and creating airflow with a fan or air conditioning.

Do not cover the dog with a wet towel because it can trap heat as it becomes warm. Do not place ice directly against the body and do not force the dog to drink. If the dog is conscious and able to swallow normally, offer small amounts of water.

Veterinary attention is still necessary even if the dog appears to recover. Extreme body temperature can damage internal organs, and the consequences may not be immediately visible. During a heatwave, shortening or occasionally skipping a normal walk is much safer than exposing a dog to heatstroke. One quiet day indoors will not harm a healthy dog, but intense activity at temperatures above 30°C can.