One of the biggest dangers to dogs during hot weather is exercise. While we often hear about the risks of leaving dogs in hot cars, it's crucial to remember that 70% of heat-related illnesses in dogs occur during exercise in hot conditions.
The safest way to protect your dog from the heat is to keep them indoors. Here are some tips to keep your dog cool at home, along with some refreshing treats to help keep them hydrated.
When Is It Too Hot to Walk Your Dog?
Many dog owners feel guilty about skipping daily walks, but sometimes it's simply too hot and not worth the risk.
Once the temperature reaches 24°C (75°F), you should reconsider walking your dog. If you must, walk them early in the morning or late at night and always check the pavement's temperature. Place your palm on the pavement for 7 seconds; if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your dog's paws.
Certain breeds are more susceptible to overheating, including brachycephalic breeds like pugs, bulldogs, and boxers. Dogs with thick fur such as Golden Retrievers and Chow Chows, dark-coloured fur, those who are overweight, or those with heart or respiratory issues are also at higher risk.
You can read the full study on heatstroke risk factors in dogs here.
9 Tips to Keep Your Dog Cool Indoors
Keeping your dog at home in hot weather is the safest option. Here are nine tips to ensure your dog stays cool and comfortable:
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Keep Curtains Closed
- Prevent the sun from heating up the room by keeping your curtains drawn.
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Use Cool Mats or Wet Towels
- If your dog doesn't like cool mats, lay a wet towel on the floor for them to lie on.
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Expose Tiled or Wooden Flooring
- Tiles and wooden floors are cooler than rugs. Roll up rugs to let your dog lie on the cooler floor.
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Refresh Water Regularly
- Refresh your dog's water often and add ice cubes to keep it cool. Consider a doggy water fountain for fresh water all day.
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Doggy Paddling Pool
- A rigid-sided paddling pool can provide a fun way for your dog to cool down.
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Encourage Indoor Stay
- Use a Dog-G8 to keep your back door open for air circulation while keeping your dog safely indoors. You can find the back door gate you need here.
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Use a Fan or Air Conditioning
- Choose a bladeless fan for safety or use an air-conditioning unit to keep the room cool. Check out this blog on air conditioning and pets for more information.
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Play Nose Games
- Stimulate your dog's brain with nose games to prevent boredom. Here's a great nose game video.
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Train New Tricks or Behaviours
- Use this time to train useful behaviours for walks or fun tricks. Learn some simple new tricks with this video
Refreshing Treats to Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Hot days call for refreshing treats. Here are six low-effort, healthy frozen treats to keep your dog hydrated:
- Frozen Carrots, Apples, Bananas, or Berries
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Frozen Wet or Raw Food
- Simply freeze it on a Lickimat or slow feeder.
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Peanut Butter, Natural Yogurt, and Blueberries
- Ensure ingredients are xylitol-free.
- Low-Salt Chicken Stock and Shredded Chicken
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Pumpkin and Banana
- Mash together and freeze.
- Coconut Oil, Strawberries, and Blueberries
Sharing our lives with dogs means enjoying walks together. The hot weather won't last long, and soon you'll be back to your adventures. In the meantime, we hope these tips help you keep your dog cool at home.
We'd love to see how your dogs stay cool. Tag us on Facebook with pictures of your pups enjoying these home comforts!
