Tips and tricks to keep your dog cool in this summer heatwave!
We are experiencing our hottest summer yet! It's all lovely enjoying the sun and the heat but we need to make sure that both us and our pups are kept cool so we can minimise the risk of overheating or worse - heatstroke. Now I know there are tons of blogs about how to keep your pooch cool but we have collated some hopefully different tips and tricks so that you can find some new and fun ways to keep your companion happy.
I have a 42kg Flat-coated retriever!!! Making sure he is cool and not overheating is definitely a bit challenging but I have used various techniques and spent my time researching interesting ways to keep him happy in the heat and I thought why not collate everything on this blog for you guys?
Make sure you are also keeping cool and hydrated in this is an especially hot summer!
Tip #1 - Cool down your dogs bed
Their safe place is often where they spend most of their time and fluffy soft materials will only heat up your pup. To be honest my bed is the last place I want to spend my time when its hot and often pups will sleep on the cold floor but when it comes to bedtime we also want them to stay cool especially when we are not around.
I have listed a few different ways in which you could cool down your pups bed
Place cool damp towels/blankets on their bed
Buy a cooling bed or cooling mat - heres an example on amazon
Fill a hot water bottle or just regular bottles with cold water and place it in their bed
Try not to use thick heavy beds, swap it out for a lightweight option in the heat.
Tip #2 - Make dog friendly ice lollies!!!
Now this is the most fun option in my opinion you can buy doggy ice cream or make it yourself! I love mixing peanut butter, yogurt and banana together in a blender and pouring it into moulds. This means you can make a big batch and give them to your pup throughout the day.
There are a ton of different recipes out there heres a link to one that looks amazing and I'm still yet to try. Looks good enough to make a batch for yourself! Link Here
Tip #3 - Take them on a walk early!
Now this one is pretty self explanatory and you are probably sick of people harping on about it but its so so important. Not only will they overheat but their paws will blister on the hot floor. At 35 degrees celsius the tarmac will be 65 degrees celsius so taking them out in a heat above 25 is going to harm their paws.
The signs of burns on their paws are:
Swollen paws which are red in colour - 1st degree burns
The above as well as blisters - 2nd degree burns
The skin is beginning to or has been charred - 3rd degree burns
Tip #4 - Make sure they are drinking lots
Like us humans dogs also need to keep themselves hydrated in this heat in order to protect them from overheating. Some dogs are very good at making sure they are drinking lots in the heat but if your dog struggles here are a few tips on how to get your dog drinking more.
Change the water often - who wants to be drinking out of hot and mucky water?
Add ice cubes to the water - if this still doesn't help give them ice cubes throughout the day this will also cool them down while hydrating them
Like cats some dogs like to drink from running water so pouring water for them into a bowl (so its not wasted)
Pop some treats in their water bowl so the water tastes like treats - Trust me this one works!
You can grab our dog bowls online now!
Tip #5 - Paddling pools!
This one is lots of fun and so practical and easy! Just pop to your local superstore or amazon and grab a paddling pool for your pup. This means they can stay cool and regulate their body temperature better. Make sure you are not popping it in the sun and if it is way too hot outside for them either bring it in or keep to the other tips for a few hours before it cools enough to let them out.
Heres a link to one I found on Argos
Now don't forget to have fun but be safe while doing so!
Now make sure you enjoy the summer but remember to always look after your pet and also yourself!
Here are some signs of heat exhaustion to look out for in your pup:
Excessive drooling
Difficulty breathing
Dehydration
Bright red, grey, purple, or bluish gums
Fever
Lack of urine
Rapid pulse
Lethargy or weakness
Muscle tremors
Vomiting or diarrhoea
Dizziness