Dogs and hot weather

It’s not uncommon for us to complain about hot weather in the UK, but spare a thought for our four-legged friends who might also be uncomfortable – but unable to tell us.

Many dogs die or are left with serious medical problems every year due to overheating in hot weather through heatstroke and dehydration. So it’s extremely important that we keep an eye on them and do our utmost to keep them cool and comfortable.

Here are some ways that you can help:

1 – Keep water with you when you leave the house for a walk, or to travel somewhere
2 – Keep them indoors but somewhere cool and ventilated during the hottest parts of the day
3 – Keep their water bowls constantly topped up during hot weather, use ice cubes if necessary
4 – Cool your dog’s paws, under their belly, between the legs, their back and under the tail
5 – Never, ever leave your dog in a parked car – even for a few minutes as it can soar to dangerous temperatures
6 – If you have to travel in a car then leave windows open and use air conditioning but again – never leave the dog in the car by itself
7 – Plan your walks so that they take place before 9am and after 5pm so that the air is a little cooler
8 – Check the pavement before you set off to make sure it’s not too hot for your dog’s paws
9 – If you have a longhaired breed of dog then take them for a summer haircut so that they can feel a little cooler
10 – Look out for warning signs of heatstroke like excessive drooling, high body temperature, red tongues and gums, not going to the toilet or blood in faeces, rapid heartbeat, breathing problems, muscle tremors and unconsciousness

If you are worried about your dog then bring them indoors and try to cool them with water, if you suspect they might have heatstroke then contact your vet straight away.

For practical tips on dog care, training, behaviour therapy and more please visit our articles page which is full of free advice.