🌡️ Summer Heat and Dogs – How to Keep Your Pet Safe on Hot Days
Summer means walks, trips, and shared adventures – but it's also the peak time for the risk of overheating in dogs. High temperatures, hot pavement, lack of shade and water can quickly lead to heatstroke, which poses a serious threat to life. How can you protect your dog from the heat?
🚨 Signs of Overheating in Dogs
⚠️ Early symptoms
- Heavy panting, shortness of breath – dog breathes with open mouth
- Lethargy, lack of energy – the dog appears weak or tired
- Drooling or dry gums – signs of dehydration
- Vomiting or diarrhea – response to overheating
🔥 Advanced symptoms
- Rapid heartbeat – heart beats much faster than usual
- Hot, dry nose and ears – elevated body temperature
- Seizures or loss of consciousness – in extreme cases
- Red gums and tongue – sign of oxygen deficiency
If you notice these signs, move your dog to a cool place and contact a vet immediately.
🌳 How to Prevent Overheating?
🕐 Walk Planning
- Avoid midday walks – choose early mornings or evenings
- Check the temperature before going out
- Shorten activity time on hot days
- Pick shaded routes – parks and forests over pavement
💧 Hydration
- Always carry water – even for short walks
- Multiple bowls at home – in different rooms
- Cool, fresh water – change several times a day
- Pet fountains – running water may be more attractive
🏠 Comfort at Home
- Cool bed in the shade – ideally with ventilation
- Fan or air conditioning – if available
- Wet towels – to help your dog cool down
- Dog pool or cooling mats – a great way to provide relief
🚗 Car Safety
- Never leave your dog in the car – not even for a minute
- Even with windows cracked the car can reach 50°C in minutes
- Use air conditioning while driving
- Take breaks during long trips to cool your dog down
🐾 Paw Protection
- Be cautious with lawns and asphalt – hot surfaces can burn paws
- Test ground temperature – touch it with your hand for 5 seconds
- Use dog shoes – in extreme heat
- Choose sidewalks or shaded paths instead of hot roads
🐶 Are All Dogs Equally at Risk?
🚨 High-Risk Dogs
- Brachycephalic breeds (bulldogs, pugs, boxers) – breathing difficulties
- Seniors and puppies – weaker thermoregulation
- Overweight dogs – extra strain on the body
- Dogs with heart or respiratory conditions – require more care
🛡️ Extra Caution
With these dogs, take additional precautions:
- Shorter walks on hot days
- More breaks to rest
- Constant health monitoring
- Vet consultation before summer begins
🌡️ What to Do If You Suspect Heatstroke?
🚨 Immediate Actions
- Move your dog to the shade or a cool room
- Cool the dog with water (not cold!) – wet towel or lukewarm shower
- Provide access to fresh water – don’t force drinking
- Contact your vet immediately – even if your dog seems to recover
❄️ Cooling Methods
- Wet towels on neck, armpits, groin
- Lukewarm shower – never ice cold to avoid shock
- Fan breeze – gentle air movement
- Ice cubes in the water bowl – for licking
🏥 When to Go to the Vet?
Immediately, if:
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Rapid breathing for an extended time
- No improvement after 30 minutes of cooling
🥵 Extra Summer Tips
🍽️ Diet
- Lighter meals – smaller portions more often
- Cool treats – frozen fruit (seedless)
- More water content – wet food helps
- Avoid feeding right after walks
🏃♂️ Physical Activity
- Early mornings – best time for play
- Shorter play sessions and training
- Frequent rest breaks
- Indoor games during hottest hours
📱 Health Monitoring
- Observe behavior throughout the day
- Check temperature – normal is 37.5–39°C (99.5–102.2°F)
- Monitor hydration – skin tent test
- Use Uppycare app to track your dog’s health
Summary
Summer can be enjoyable and safe for your dog – all it takes is a few mindful habits. Watch your pup closely, react to warning signs, and remember: prevention is key.
🌡️ Want to monitor your dog’s health all year round? Uppycare helps you keep track of vital health data and reminds you of upcoming vet visits!