In the joy that summertime brings, it’s easy to get caught up in more fun activities, like having a barbecue, picnic, or topping up your tan.

 

Though, we urge you to take a moment to think of your furry friend in these hotter times. That’s right, they too can struggle in the heat. Sometimes more than us humans. In this post, we provide some insights on how to protect your dog in the harsh summer, from cooling them down after a walk to keeping their skin safe.

 

Here is your guide to having a fun, safe summer with your pup.

 

Can Dogs Get Sunburn?

 

While dogs have protective, furry coats that keep them warm in the winter, this doesn’t protect them from sunburn. All dogs can get sunburnt, regardless of their breed or age. Granted, dogs that have longer fur and fuzzier coats are at less of a risk, whereas short-haired dogs are more prone to sunburn. But the point stands: all dogs can get sunburn.

 

Keeping Your Dog Cool in the Summer

 

With their furry coats, increased heat can make summertime quite uncomfortable for dogs. Although, not all hope is lost. With these tips, you can ensure your best friend has just as much fun as you do this year.

 

Always Have Fresh Water Available

A brown German Shepherd outside on a hot day, drinking water from a brown bowl

It goes without saying, but hydration is so important for dogs all year round, but even more so in the summer. When it gets hot, it’s normal for your dog to pant a little more as they try to allow heat and sweat to leave their body. Though this means that your dog can feel more dehydrated, and at a much faster pace.

 

You should always leave fresh water down for your dog to drink throughout the day. However, in the summer, you’ll need to remember to top it up more frequently.

 

Take Evening Walks

Although it may interrupt your routine, it’s recommended to avoid going outside with your dog when the sunshine is at its peak. This can vary day to day, but will often happen around 3-5pm, depending on where you live.

Instead, take your dog on a leisurely evening stroll once the sun has gone down. The ground will be much cooler, making it easier to walk on. Plus, your dog will struggle much less compared to if the sun was relentlessly beating down on them.

 

Avoid the Car

We’ve all seen stories about dogs that have been left in boiling hot cars for too long. Although some modern cars will offer “dog mode”, where the air conditioning is kept on despite no passengers being inside, this isn’t the case for the vast majority of modern motors. If possible, try to avoid taking your dog on any extended car trips. If you absolutely must, say for a vet visit, ensure they have enough airflow pointed towards them, ideally from an open window. Plus, under any circumstances, do not leave your dog in the car alone on a hot day.

 

Cool Them Down

A desk fan blowing air around a living room

Dogs can overheat quickly, sometimes faster than humans. In extreme cases, this can lead to heat stroke. So, doing your best to keep your furry friend cool can help them avoid discomfort as the hot days progress. Some clever tactics to keep your dog cool involve:

 

·         Filling a paddling pool with cold water

·         Putting some frozen veg in with their dog food

·         Freezing one of their toys

·         Circulating air flow in a room with a fan

 

In some cases, your dog may even need drastic measures… a haircut.

 

Do Dogs Need Sunscreen?

 

As we mentioned before, it is 100% possible for dogs to get sunburnt. So, what can you do about it?

With sunburn, prevention is the best cure. In addition to some of the summertime best practice tips we described above, we highly recommend that you use some specialised dog sunscreen (yes, it’s a thing!). There are many dog-friendly options out there that differ slightly to human sunscreen.

 

If you were a touch too late on the preventative step, don’t worry. Your vet will be well-equipped to deal with any sun damage to your dog’s skin. Poor thing!

 

Dog Care Tips and Tricks

 

Your dog’s health is our top priority. To help them keep living their best life, stick with us. From dog food that promotes skin and coat health to more tips and tricks just like in this article, stay tuned to the Fish4Dogs blog.