How to Defeat the Summer Heat

Jun 27, 2015   Stephen

"What Are You Doing? / 何してるの？" by Toshihiro Gamo is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

It's been a long time coming, but summer has settled in for an extended stay whether we invited it over or not. Dogs spend a lot of time outside-- we're walking them every day, in fact-- so remembering what keeps them safe under a hot sun is always a great idea. I've collected a handful of tips over the years, and they just might come in handy!

1. Don't leave a dog in a car. I'm sure you already know this one, but it keeps happening, so we've all got to keep spreading the word. Enclosed vehicles become ovens in mere minutes. Don't do it, and get in touch with the law enforcement if you see something dangerous going down with someone else's dog.

2. Be responsible with outdoor exercise. Dogs are some of the most wonderful creatures to grace this earth on which we live, but in complete honesty, they're not always very smart. It's our job to keep playtime a safe jaunt for everyone involved, and that starts with watching our dogs' behavior. Excessive panting, uncoordination, and anything gross coming out of either end can be bad news. It shouldn't come to that, however, if you demand break times in between ball throws and keep refreshing water on hand; use common sense and your own temperature as a guide. Keep in mind that a humid 80 degree day can be much more dangerous than a brutal 90 degree+ dry heat.

3. Pay attention to your breed. Dogs with a mushed muzzle, such as the ever-dignified pug, are going to have more difficulty ventilating than their long-nosed cousins. Larger breeds can be susceptable to bloat (AKA twisted stomach) after eating a large meal or drinking lots of water (worse yet, a combination of the two) before excercising. This is an extremely dangerous condition, often resulting in a death before anything can be done, so it's well worth reading up on.

4. Check the pavement temperature. Your dog (probably) isn't wearing shoes, and those tough-as-rubber pads aren't indestructable. Before heading out a on walk, test the street or sidewalk with your hand to make sure it isn't burning hot.

5. What to do if your dog does overheat. Remember, dogs don't cool off as we humans, so prideful in our sweatiness, do. They've got to pant and squeeze moisture from their paw pads-- at times an alarmingly ineffecient way of getting the job done. Moving them to a cooler place, wrapping cold towels around the head/neck/torso, and letting them drink a bit of water can all help.

Now that I have you curled up on your couch in the fetal position, blinds drawn and pets protectively gathered around you-- don't sweat it. You're probably preventing most of this already, but it's a nice reminder to fill in the gaps for maximum safety. And rest assured that we practice the same precautions when exercising your dogs and ours. Have a hydrated, amazing summer!

- Stephen