How to keep your dog safe this summer

The summer season is upon us, and you may be looking forward to enjoying plenty of outdoor adventures with your dog. Walks in the sun and trips to the beach await, and we all know life is better when enjoyed with your four legged friend! Summer is a good time to have a great time, but there are a few things to watch out for as the mercury rises.

From dehydration to heat stroke, summer safety is key for your canine companion. Here are a few ways to keep your dog safe and healthy this summer.

1. Watch out for heat stroke in dogs

Heat stroke is one of the most common concerns for dog owners during the summer months. Keeping your pup cool in summer is key to their health and safety: our four legged friends find it much more difficult than we do to cool down, so making sure they don’t overheat is crucial.

Keep an eye on your dog and watch out for symptoms of heat stroke including: 

• Heavy panting 
• Distress or upset
• Excessive drooling
• Foaming at the mouth.
• Confusion
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Bright red gums

If you suspect your dog has heatstroke, move them to a cool place; give them a drink (not too much, and avoid icy water), and call your vet straight away.

2. Keep your dog cool in summer

When the summer heat hits, there are plenty of ways to help your dog stay cool as a cucumber.

Avoid going out for walkies during the hottest part of the day; when you do take your dog out, stick to shady areas. If you’ve got the space, get them a paddling pool to play in at home (make sure the water isn’t too cold when they get in – it should be at a comfortable temperature for you both to paddle in). When it comes to down-time, get a cool mat for them to lie on; or a cold, damp towel.

Top tip: You can also put their favourite chew toy in the freezer – this has the double win of keeping them both cool and entertained! 

3. Keep your dog hydrated

Dogs can easily become dehydrated in hot weather. Ensure they always have access to fresh water, and if you take them out on a walk make sure you bring a bottle of water and a bowl with you too.

You can also try to include extra hydration in their diet – for example, if you feed your dog dry food, you could also try adding some water to increase their fluid intake.

Top tip: Why not try making some dog-friendly summer snacks? Frozen carrots and banana are a great, healthy and cooling treat for dogs in the summer months.

4. Use sunscreen

Baz Luhrmann famously said, “wear sunscreen” – and that advice extends to our canine companions too. Dogs can suffer from sunburn just like their humans, and a little extra protection is needed during the summer months to keep your dog safe from the sun’s rays. 

Apply a dedicated sunscreen for dogs to the areas which can be sensitive to the sun (think areas like the ears, belly and nose) throughout the day to help them stay sunburn free. 

5. Paws for thought

Your dog’s paws are super sensitive, and the sun can bake the ground to a temperature hot enough to fry an egg! And if the ground is hot enough to fry an egg, it’s too hot for your pooch’s paws.

As a rule, if it’s uncomfortable for you to put your hands on for more than a few seconds, it’s probably uncomfortable for your dog too; and could even result in burns on their paws. Avoid walking your dog while the pavement is too hot; and stick to grass and shaded areas.

Did you know? For both safety and fashion conscious dogs, you can even get paw protecting shoes!

6. Supervise your dog while swimming

Is your dog something of a water baby? Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a swim, but keep an eye on your dog to make sure they don’t overdo it. Swimming may be the best thing ever (up there with treats, walkies, and stealing the post); but too much can lead to exhaustion and low blood sugar.
Once they get out of the water, a calming spray to help clean the ears is also a good idea to help avoid irritation.

7. Keep an eye out for any allergies

Just like us humans, our dogs can suffer from summer allergies too. High pollen counts can bring on symptoms like skin irritation, watery eyes and runny noses; making the summer months a little uncomfortable for our canine companions. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to help our dogs cope with summer allergies: take a look at our top tips here.

With a little care and attention, both you and your dog can have a happy, healthy summer season – enjoy!