Keep Your Dogs Cool This Summer

Summers in Australia can get extremely hot, and whilst we can dress for it and have some ice cold water if we’re hot, our pets can’t. Learning the signs of overheating and how to prevent it is essential in keeping our animals healthy and happy in a heatwave.

Panting, drooling, lethargy, and drinking more than usual may be signs that your dog is overheating. Keep an eye on them during the day if you’re home, and act quickly if they show signs of overheating. Heat stress can become heat stroke, which requires immediate treatment from a vet. Dogs with any of the following are more likely to be at risk: overweight, thick coats, older, short faces, or heart disease.

Tips for keeping your dog cool

Don’t walk your dog in the middle of the day! Early morning or late afternoon is ideal for hot days. Also, test the pavement – if it’s too hot for your hands, it’s too hot for their paws.

Make sure they have plenty of access to water. This could involve buying an extra water bowl to make sure they have enough, especially for when you won’t be home.

My dog loves icy treats! Freezing their favourite meat or snack (such as peanut butter) in an ice cube tray is a great way to reward good behaviour and cool them down at the same time. Otherwise, my dog loves the crunch of plain ice.

If your dog is a bit restless, play with it inside instead of outside. Alternatively, if you’d rather not have a playful dog running around the place, turn on the sprinklers and run around in the water with them (or send the kids to do it).

Make sure to never, ever leave your dog in the car, especially when it’s hot outside.

Keep your house as cool as possible, especially when you aren’t home to monitor your dog. This might mean closing the curtains. Ventilation and shaded areas are important to keep air flowing.

I hope these tips will help you keep your dog cool this summer!

Information in this article is taken from the RSPCA.