How to Enjoy Your Dog During the Summer

by Ronel Forbes

June 1, 2023

It’s crucial to give your pets more attention as the summer’s days lengthen. Even while they might like lying in the hot sun, they run the risk of getting heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.

This is why it’s crucial to take basic safety measures when exercising your dog in the hot heat. This article will cover safe summertime activities for you and your dog as well as potential danger signals.

Please read: PURPOSE OF CONE FOR DOGS

Each dog has Different Limitations

When participating in summertime activities, not all dogs should be treated equally. Some breeds struggle to control their body temperature in warm weather because of their thick double coats. Other breeds don’t warm up as rapidly because of their thinner, single-layer coats.

Consider a brachycephalic breed of dog. They’ll have a harder time maintaining their cool in that situation because they frequently experience breathing problems. The ‘flat features’ of brachycephalic breeds, including French bulldogs, obstruct their airways. This has an impact on their capacity to cool off because a dog pants mostly to help regulate their body temperature.

The size of your dog’s breed, age, and level of comfort in warm weather are all other important considerations. Small and young dogs typically have a higher tolerance for heat, whereas larger and older dogs start to feel uncomfortable much more quickly.

When in doubt, stick to this straightforward temperature guideline: for most dogs, temperatures between 50 and 68 °F are good, those between 70 and 82 °F may be risky for some, and those above 84 °F are dangerous.

Time of the Day Matters

When you want to spend time with your dog outside, consider the time of day as well. The warmest time of day is usually from midday to 3 or 4 in the afternoon. As the sun is at its strongest during this time, your dog is more likely to feel uncomfortable levels of heat.

Try to stay away from taking your dog out during these times if the weather is especially hot. Instead, take them somewhere cool in the morning or evening for a stroll or to a park.

Hot asphalt and pavement should always be avoided. It’s unquestionably too hot for your dog to be walking on if it’s too hot for you to walk barefoot on it. Put your hand on the ground for a brief period of time as a test. If you can’t stand holding your hand there for a few seconds, your dog can’t walk on it since it’s too hot.

Check their Exercise

No of the season, you should always keep an eye on how much your dog is exercising. But in the summer, when they can easily overheat, it’s especially crucial.

When playing fetch or frisbee, be careful not to overdo it and take frequent pauses. Take a break if your dog is panting profusely or appears to be exhausted.

Make sure your dog is drinking enough water as well.

Pick the Appropriate Activity

Given all the amusing technology and toys available to make entertaining your dog simpler, living in the 21st century has many benefits. But it doesn’t mean you should set up an autonomous ball launcher and let your dog go around for hours on end. Unfortunately, dogs don’t always recognize their boundaries. This poses a serious risk, particularly in hot weather.

This is why it’s crucial to choose your activities carefully and to be their voice of reason. For instance, swimming is a fantastic activity because it is low-impact and keeps your dog cool. You may always install a kiddie pool in your backyard for children to play in if you don’t have access to a pool or beach.

Another excellent choice is hiking, provided you exercise caution. Bring lots of water for you and your dog, and stop frequently to rest. Avoiding hiking in the hottest part of the day is also a good idea.

If you do decide to go hiking, look for a trail with some cover so your dog may rest in the cooler weather.

Playing with sprinklers or a hose is yet another summer activity that is fantastic. Dogs enjoy chasing water, and it helps them stay cool. Just watch the water pressure; too much pressure can damage their delicate ears.

Additional fun ways to keep your dog cool

There are a few delightful treats your dog will enjoy to help them cool off, regardless of whether the activity you’re playing with your dog involves water or whether it’s merely a game of fetch.

Your dog can chill off by eating frozen dog treats. You can either get them from a store or manufacture them at home. You might try freezing some chicken broth after pouring it into an ice cube tray.

Additionally, you can create your own frozen dog toys by freezing Kong toys or balls that have been filled with dog chow, peanut butter suitable for dogs, or canned pumpkins.

After playing outside for a while, your dog will love a yummy frozen treat and some shade. This will keep your dog safe without sacrificing fun.

Signs that your dog is becoming Overheated

Even if you’re doing all the proper safety measures, it’s still crucial to understand how hot your dog is getting. These are some issues to be on the lookout for:

Excessive panting
Excessive drooling
Instability or agitation
Reluctance to relocate
Back-and-forth pacing
Bleary eyes
Generally weak

Take your dog to a cool, shaded area right away if they exhibit any of these symptoms, and make sure they have access to plenty of water. Call your veterinarian right away if they don’t seem to be getting better or are exhibiting signs of heatstroke.

It is crucial to take any indications of heatstroke carefully because it is a dangerous condition that can be fatal.

Conclusion

The sunny weather of summer is perfect for going outside and enjoying with your dog. However, it’s crucial to take some safety measures to guarantee that your enjoyable activities are safe.

Knowing your dog’s limits, keeping an eye on their exercise, picking the correct activity, and ensuring they’re drinking enough water are all essential to keeping your dog safe in the summer heat.

Always err on the side of caution and take your dog to a cool, shaded area if you are ever unsure of how they are doing. Additionally, constantly keep an eye out for heatstroke symptoms.