10 Hot Weather Tips for Your Dog

The summer is a great time to have a lot of adventures with your dog. But you also want to know everything you can about taking care of dogs in hot weather and making sure your dog doesn't get overheated. That means avoiding the hottest part of the day and bringing some good supplies to help keep your dog cool. Here are 10 tips on what you can do to with your dog on a hot day.

1. Don't Go Out During the Hottest Part of the Day

You and your dog still need exercise and adventures, but avoid going out during the hottest part of the day. If you can, take your walks, hikes, or trips to the park in the morning or the evening when it's cooler.

2. Get Your Dog Summer Booties if You Can't Avoid Hot Surfaces All the Time

Your dog's paws are tender and can be burned by a hot sidewalk during the warmest part of the day. Walking in the grass or during cooler times is best. If you must go out when it's hot, protect your dog's paws. You can get special booties for your pup's feet that protect them from being burned.¹

3. Don't Leave Your Dog in the Car

Never leave your dog in the car when it's hot. Even when it's just 85 °F outside, a parked car with the windows open can get up to 102 °F in just 10 minutes.² This is incredibly dangerous for your dog. Bring her with you when you leave the car and don't take any chances.

4. Watch for Signs of Overheating

Overheating can lead to heatstroke, which can put your dog's life in danger. Signs of heatstroke in a dog include being listless or lethargic, excessive panting or hard breathing, extra high temperature, fast heartbeat, excessive thirst, vomiting, drooling, or acting confused or clumsy. A dog with heatstroke can even pass out. If your dog has these symptoms, he needs to see a veterinarian right away. You need to get him in a cool car, put cold towels or cool water on him, and give him small amounts of water while on the way to the vet.³

5. Bring Cool Water with You

Wherever you go, make sure your dog has access to plenty of water so she doesn't get dehydrated. Cool water is even better. The Coolin' Bowl is a great option and doesn't require electricity. Just freeze it overnight, add water in the morning or while you're out, and it can keep water cool for up to 15 hours.

6. Provide Plenty of Shade

Shade is vital for your dog, so make sure he's not directly in the hot sun all day. The Pet Cot Canopy gives your dog much-needed shade at any time. It attaches to the dog bed, so consider getting an elevated bed like the Original Pet Cot that doesn't rest directly on the hot ground. To keep things even cooler, use the Coolin' Pet Cot.

7. Talk to Your Vet About Grooming

Before you cut off your dog's fur, talk to your vet. Mats and tangles can cause issues, but some dogs' fur actually helps them stay cool when it's hot outside.⁴

8. Talk to Your Vet about Your Dog's Health and Breed

Certain dogs can be more susceptible to heat, depending on their health and breed. When you talk to your vet about grooming, ask about your dog's health too. A dog that's older or overweight might be more fragile in the heat. Snub-nosed breeds like Pugs or Boston Terriers might have some breathing issues in the hot summer.⁵

9. Watch for Burns

Just as you can burn if you're in the hot sun for too long, so can your dog. Pets with white ears or fur are especially susceptible to burning in the bright sun or getting skin cancer.⁶ You can even get sunscreen made especially for dogs.

10. Have Fun Safely

Of course, you need to keep safety in mind when planning summer outings with your pup. But don't forget to have fun! You can do many things with your dog on a hot day, like setting up a kiddie pool, enjoying cold treats together, or going to the beach.

The summer is all about having fun. If you take these safety precautions to avoid overheating, you and your pup will make wonderful memories that will last long after the weather becomes colder.

1. Elliott, Pippa. "How to Care for Your Outdoor Dog During Summer Months." WikiHow, 30 March 2019, https://www.wikihow.pet/Care-for-Your-Outdoor-Dog-During-Summer-Months#.

2. The Humane Society of the United States. "Keep Pets Safe in the Heat." HumaneSociety.org, https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/keep-pets-safe-heat#:.

3. Ibid.

4. DiLonardo, Mary Jo. "How to Keep Your Dog Cool in the Summer." Pets WebMD, 15 April 2018, https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/features/dog-cool-summer#1.

5. American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. "Summer Dangers for Dogs." AKCCHF.org, 17 May 2011, https://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/caring-for-your-dog/summer-dangers-for-dogs.html.

6. Elliott, Pippa, https://www.wikihow.pet/Care-for-Your-Outdoor-Dog-During-Summer-Months#.