Summer can be one of the most enjoyable seasons of the year to spend with our dogs! With young people off from school and more outdoor recreation options open, It’s not difficult to find new activities to do with your dogs every day in Southwest Virginia. But it’s also possible to have too much of a good thing. So, how do you keep your dogs cool in the summer?
Can Dogs Get Too Hot?
Let’s start with a basic question. Can dogs get too hot?
There’s an old-school belief that dogs are outside creatures and can handle whatever weather we get. Unfortunately, that’s simply not true.
Dogs can overheat and experience negative or even deadly effects of overheating. Different dogs have different tolerance levels that vary from breed to breed and individual to individual.
Just like people, older dogs, puppies, and less healthy dogs are more likely to be heat intolerant. (See our previous blog on keeping your dogs safe in hot weather.)
So with that in mind, how do you keep your dogs cool in the summer heat?
How To Keep Your Dogs Cool in Summer
Your dogs probably enjoy the sun and the time they spend outdoors, and some of them, just like kids, might not be aware of their limitations. You should always monitor the weather and your dog’s time outdoors.
In general, you should limit the time outside during excessive heat, but when they are spending time outside, here are some ways to keep your dogs cool in the summer.
Don’t Shave
One mistake well-intentioned dog owners make is shaving their cold-weather breed dogs when it gets hot. Breeds like huskies and Alaskan Malamutes are known for their ability to adapt to cold climates because of their thick coats.
However, those coats insulate them from more than the cold and snow. They also help to cool them during the hottest months! So while it seems like the right thing to do on the surface, shaving your huskies will make them more likely to overheat!
Let Them Inside
Follow your local veterinarian’s recommendation for how much time outdoors is appropriate and healthy for your dog. Keep them inside for more of the day when the weather is especially hot or humid.
Provide Shade and Water
Sometimes dogs don’t want to come inside. Other times, even for your indoor dogs’ limited time outside, you need extra ways to keep them safe.
You should always provide shaded areas where they can cool off. Even if you have plenty of trees, ensure that regardless of the time of day, there’s a spot where your dog can get shelter from the sun.
You should also leave plenty of water outside. And be careful to refill water bowls often. Dogs may sometimes inadvertently spill their water or finish it early in the day.
Water Play!
Finally, provide fun water activities for your dog! Some dogs love to run through a sprinkler or splash around in a kiddie pool. Maybe they like bobbing for ice or getting “popsicles,” a frozen Kong, or another dog toy. Whatever works, find a way to keep your dog cool this summer while still enjoying the outdoors.
And remember, just like people, it’s more fun to spend time outside together than alone, and when you’re present, you can monitor your dog’s health. So have a good time!