How to Keep Your Dog Cool This Summer

With temperatures in the UK rising, it’s time to start thinking about how to keep your dog cool this summer. Hot weather can be bad for dogs if the proper precautions aren’t taken, potentially resulting in dehydration, heatstroke and burned paw pads. Read on to learn how to keep your pet cool and comfortable.

8 tips for keeping your dog cool 

Provide access to shade 

One of the simplest ways to protect your dog from the effects of hot weather is to provide them with access to shade. Your dog may love sunbathing next to you. However, it’s vital that they have a shaded area to retreat to when the sun’s rays get too much for them. This could be a shaded spot in your garden, a covered patio, or even a doghouse with proper ventilation.

Keep them hydrated

Dogs can quickly become dehydrated in the summer, leaving them feeling very unwell. Make sure you provide your dog with access to fresh and cool water at all times. You may want to add ice cubes to the water bowl at the hottest times of the day to help keep it cool. When taking your dog for walks, take along a portable water bowl and offer regular breaks so that they can have a drink. 

Avoid hot surfaces 

Surfaces like asphalt and concrete can reach extremely hot temperatures in the summer. This can be the case even if the air temperature doesn’t feel that hot to you. Therefore, it’s important to keep your dog off these surfaces during the hottest times of the day. Protect their feet by opting for areas of grassland for dog walks or using dog booties. This can help prevent them from burning their paw pads. 

Limit excessive exercise

Strenuous exercise should be avoided during the hottest parts of the day. Not only can it cause dogs to develop heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke but they can also become severely dehydrated. Their body temperature can rise rapidly, overwhelming their ability to cool down. This can result in serious health complications and even be life-threatening if not addressed quickly. 

Never leave your dog in a parked car 

You should never leave your dog in a parked car, particularly during the summer months. The temperature inside a parked car can increase rapidly, even if the air temperature doesn’t feel that hot. Within minutes, the car can feel like a furnace, reaching dangerous and even deadly temperatures. Heatstroke, dehydration and respiratory problems can occur. Ideally, you should leave your dog at home if you need to go out. However, if you do need to take them with you in the car, make sure you choose pet-friendly places that allow dogs inside or have designated outdoor areas with shade and water.

Consider cooling accessories

There are several types of cooling accessories available for dogs, including cooling mats and cooling vests, bandanas, and collars. These products are intended to lower their body temperature, making them particularly useful during walks or other outdoor activities. Cooling mats provide a cool surface for dogs to lie on. They contain gel or other cooling material that activates when it makes contact with the dog’s body. These mats dissipate heat, providing a cool spot for dogs to relax. Cooling vests or bandanas are made from lightweight materials that can be soaked in water. When they’re worn by a dog, they provide an evaporative cooling effect, keeping their body temperature down. 

Monitor your dog for signs of overheating

When it comes to how to keep your dog cool this summer, it’s important to monitor them regularly for signs of overheating. These could include excessive panting, drooling, rapid heartbeat, or even collapse in serious cases. If you think that your dog is overheating, move them to a cooler area and offer them water. You should also contact your vet immediately to have them checked over. 

Choose reputable dog boarding in Sheffield 

If you’ll be jetting away on holiday during the summer months and require dog boarding in Sheffield, make sure you choose a reputable facility. Before you agree to use their service, pay a visit so that you can look around and ask questions. We recommend talking to the staff about how they keep dogs cool and comfortable at this time of year. 

There should be plenty of shade and ventilation in the kennels as well as cooling systems to lower the ambient temperature. Staff should also ensure that dogs have constant access to fresh and clean water, with bowls refilled regularly. They also offer frozen treats or toys to help dogs cool down, including ice cubes, frozen treats filled with dog-friendly ingredients, or frozen toys that provide a refreshing sensation as well as mental stimulation. 

At Jaycliffe, we have been caring for dogs all year round for many years, looking after their well-being during the heat of summer and the cold of winter. Our staff are extremely attentive, keeping a close eye on the dogs in our care and monitoring their behaviour and overall health. We’re trained to recognise the signs of overheating in dogs and are prepared to act quickly if needed, providing additional water or moving the dog to a cooler area. You can trust our dedicated team with your pet when you go away on holiday.

Contact us 

At Jaycliffe Pets, we know how to keep your dog cool this summer, offering cool and comfortable boarding facilities for dogs of all breeds and sizes. To book dog boarding in Sheffield or the surrounding areas, call us on 01709 645 046. Alternatively, send us a message via our website and we will get back to you as quickly as we can.