How to Keep Your Dog Cool and Safe During Hot Weather

We all love spending summer days outside with our furry best friends but enjoying the hot weather can be dangerous. As temperatures are rising, dog owners need to pay special attention to their dogs to understand their limitations and take extra precautions in this warmer weather so your fun in the sun doesn’t turn into a trip to an emergency veterinary hospital.

Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe in Extreme Heat

• Never leave your dog in the car

On a mild to hot day, temperatures in a closed car (even with the windows cracked) can exceed 120 degrees in minutes, creating a very dangerous condition for any animal. Cracking a window or parking in the shade doesn’t help. Read more: When Is It OK to Leave Your Dog in the Car

• Give your dog extra water

Staying hydrated is crucial on hot days to avoid heatstroke. Whether your dog is indoors or outdoors, be sure to fill his or her water bowls several times a day.

• Make tasty cold treats

Just like iced coffees and cucumber drinks are in demand from hot humans, you can easily cater to your dog’s needs too. Ice cubes in the water bowl are a refreshing place to start.

It can be tempting to give your dog ice cream treats, but ice cream can be hard for dogs to digest. Lactose in dairy can cause stomach upset and other digestive issues like gas or diarrhea. Not to mention too many sweet treats can lead to weight gain.

Here are some ideas for cold treats for dogs:

• Flavored ice cubes

Simply pour any liquid – such as no-salt added beef or chicken broth into an ice cube tray.

• Hide and seek treats

Fill an ice tray half full and then freeze the liquid. Then place a small treat – like a blueberry or piece of freeze-dried liver – in the middle of the cube then fill the rest of the tray with the remaining liquid. Once the entire cube is frozen, there will be a tasty surprise waiting inside.

• Hollow rubber toy

Fill a hollow rubber toy (like a Kong toy) with liquid and stand the toy upright in the freezer until the liquid is ice. Block one side of the opening with a hard treat like a biscuit or peanut butter. This will not only be a chilly treat, but it will give your dog something to do to prevent boredom on those long, hot afternoons.

• Soft serve treats

For an ice cream alternative, try blending frozen fruit with plain, unsweetened yogurt. Watermelon and cantaloupe are excellent options for this recipe.

• Frozen pupsicles on a stick

For a frozen fruit smoothie on a stick, make bananas the foundation of your dog’s treat. Slice a few bananas then freeze the pieces for several hours. Once they are frozen, place them in a blender with other mix-ins, such as bacon, frozen strawberries, blueberries, pumpkin puree, or even water-packed tuna. When all ingredients are blended together, pour into ice pop molds or paper cups, insert a “stick” (i.e. bone-shaped dog biscuits, salmon skin rolls, or any other stick-shaped, edible chew). The stick will give your dog something to hold on to while licking and chewing the popsicle.

• Cold and sticky

Mix a small amount of peanut butter (read the label to make sure it doesn’t contain any xylitol), plain yogurt and fruit in a blender for an ice cream like treat. You can also layer these ingredients into paper cups. Just peel off the paper before serving to your dog.

• Protect your pet’s paws from hot surfaces

Walk your dog in the grass or shade whenever possible. A quick tip: if the pavement is too hot for your bare hands or feet, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. If you need to take them outside to do their business, wet the surface with a hose or water bottle to help make it a little cooler for them. Read more: Does Your Dog Need Shoes for Paw Protection?

• Don’t overdo outdoor exercise

Oftentimes, dogs don’t know when they need a break, so it’s important to stop frequently for shaded breaks and offer plenty of water.

• Bring your dog to daycare 

Consider bringing your dog to daycare to ensure he or she receives adequate exercise, socialization and mental stimulation instead of exposing him or her to high temperatures outside. Learn more here: Canine Campus Dog Daycare

•  Take extra care with senior dogs and dogs with shorter noses

Just like older humans, older dogs can be especially susceptible to higher temperatures. And certain breeds with shorter noses (like pugs and bulldogs) are at a greater risk of heatstroke.

• Make sure dogs confined outside have access to shade

Never leave any animal confined outdoors without access to shade. In addition to shade, a dog confined outdoors will enjoy a shallow children’s swimming pool filled with water so they can soak in it and cool off. Just be careful they (or wildlife) can’t become trapped in it and drown. It is worthwhile to provide a ramp so they don’t drown.

• Protect pink noses and ears from sunburn

Fair-furred, fair-skinned dogs especially tend to get sunburned on their noses and on their ears. Not only is sunburned skin painful for your dog, but it also increases their risk of skin cancer. This can be helped by applying dog-safe sunblock.

• Keep your dog safe while on vacation in an RV 

Traveling with your dog in an RV can pose a serious risk from overheating. While your RV may feel like a house on wheels, it is a vehicle that can overheat very quickly. Be sure to utilize an RV Pet Temperature Monitor to Keep Your Dog Safe.

• Know the signs of heatstroke in dogs

Heatstroke in dogs can be fatal if not treated quickly. Signs of heatstroke include:

• Panting
• Vomiting
• Excessive drooling
• Warm and dry skin
• Rapid heat beat
• Staring or anxious expressions
• Uncoordinated movements or collapse

• Plan ahead for emergencies

Post your veterinarian’s phone number prominently on your refrigerator, along with the number of an alternative after-hours emergency veterinary hospital.

Keep in mind the risk of wildfires increases substantially in hot weather. Be prepared to evacuate your dog immediately – don’t wait until the last moment. Make sure you have all the necessary equipment, such as kennels, medications, bowls and food, packed and ready to go. Read more: 6 Disaster Preparedness Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe

What Should You Do If You Think Your Dog May Be Over Heated

If you suspect your dog may be experiencing heatstroke or may be overheated, call your veterinarian immediately.

You can also:

• Lower your dog’s body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of your dog’s body (tips and back of the ears, foot pads, belly, and inner thighs). Do NOT use ice or extremely cold water because that can worsen the problem.
• Use a fan to help cool your dog. Even if your dog seems to cool down, it’s still imperative to visit a veterinarian immediately, as temperatures often spike again or cool below a safe, normal temperature.

Please note: Avoid completely immersing your dog in water, since heat cannot leave his or her body as effectively in this situation, and extreme changes in body temperature are dangerous to the dog’s health.

It’s the Law – Good Samaritans Can Break Car Windows to Rescue Animals and Children

Be aware it is legal in Colorado for someone to break into a vehicle to rescue a dog, cat, child or any animal or person who is in danger. Colorado House Bill 17-1179 was passed in 2017 after many Colorado citizens started voicing concerns about pets and children being trapped in hot vehicles.

Under the law, you can break a window to rescue a pet or child as long as you adhere to the following steps:

• You believe the person or animal is in danger
• You have checked to make sure the doors are not unlocked
• You make an effort to find the owner
• You contact a local law enforcement agency, fire department, animal control or 911 prior to breaking the window. It’s very important you notify the police department and you have a record of the call, so no one can accuse you of breaking into the vehicle to steal something.
• Stay near the vehicle with the animal or child until the police arrive at the scene

For more information on keeping your dog safe in the hot weather please visit: 6 Tips to Protect Your Dog from Summer Heat

What tips do you have to help keep your dog cool and safe during hot weather? What tips should be added to the above list? Please share in the comments below…