Soaking up the Summer Sun: How to Keep Your Pup Safe During the Heatwave
It’s peak summer, and temperatures are soaring across London. While sunny days mean park walks, picnics and trips to the beach, hot weather can be dangerous for our pups.
Dogs can’t regulate their body temperature as easily as we can, so even a normal walk can put them at risk of heatstroke.
Here are some simple ways to help keep your dog cool, safe and happy this summer.
Walk Your Pup During Cooler Times of the Day
In summer, let the forecast dictate your dog’s routine. Walk during the coolest parts of the day, ideally early morning or later in the evening.
Safety tip: Before you set off, check the pavement with the back of your hand. If it’s too hot to keep your hand there for a few seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Keep exercise light, bring plenty of water and choose shaded, grassy routes over exposed pavements. Woodlands such as Epping Forest are a great option, offering plenty of interesting smells, sounds and textures to keep your dog entertained without overdoing the exercise.
And if you do head to Epping Forest, the dog-friendly Oyster Shack & Seafood Bar is worth a stop. The oysters are excellent.
Swap Outdoor Walks for Indoor Fun
Sometimes, especially during extreme heat, it’s simply too hot to walk your dog safely, even early in the morning or late in the evening. On these days, it’s better to skip the walk and keep them entertained indoors. Missing a walk or two won’t do any harm, but heatstroke can.
Try activities that keep both their mind and body busy, such as trick training, hide and seek, puzzle toys, long-lasting chews and snuffle mats.
If your home is cool enough, you can also set up a simple obstacle course to keep them moving without having to venture outside.
Make Easy Homemade Frozen Dog Treats
Ice cream might be a summer staple for us, but human ice cream isn’t suitable for dogs. Instead, cool them down with some homemade frozen strawberry and carrot treats.
Made with strawberries, carrots and Greek yoghurt, they’re a simple, dog-friendly way to help keep your pup cool.
They’re also incredibly easy to make: blend the ingredients together, then freeze into bite-sized portions. Perfect for a hot summer’s day.
Prefer to stay out of the kitchen? Frozen, treat-filled dog toys are an easy alternative and can offer a similar cooling effect.
They’re widely available online and at pet shops, with plenty of options to suit different ages, sizes and needs.
You can also take a trip to The Tolpuddle Café beside the clock tower at Caledonian Park. It’s my go-to spot with Hank in the summer months, as they serve the most amazing, plant-based, pup-friendly ice cream: Jude’s Ice Cream. Jude’s also donates 5% of their sales to supporting Battersea, a cause that we hold close to our hearts here at IADL, if you remember our muddy dog challenge fundraising efforts!
Watch Out for Signs of Heatstroke
Heatstroke can creep up quickly, and spotting the signs early gives your pup the best chance at making a recovery. Common signs of heatstroke include:
Heavy, rapid panting
Excessive drooling
Red gums and tongue
Weakness
Disorientation
Rapid heart rate
Lethargy
Collapse
Tremoring
Heatstroke is life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary attention. Until you can reach a vet, take action to help slowly and gradually lower your pup’s body temperature. Move them to a well-ventilated, cool space, give them water if they’re able to drink, and spritz them with cool water (never freezing – this can cause shock).
All team members at IADL have their first aid dog certificates, so you can feel at ease knowing that, in the rare chance an emergency does occur, your pup will be in the best possible hands.
But when is it 'too hot' to walk your pup?
here’s no single temperature that’s too hot for every dog. Even 20°C can be risky depending on the conditions, such as limited shade, lots of activity or poor access to water.
Some dogs are more vulnerable to heat, including flat-faced breeds, dogs with thick coats, older dogs and those carrying extra weight.
Safety tip: In London, the urban heat island effect can make it feel much hotter than the forecast suggests, so check the conditions outside before heading out.
Before every walk, the IADL team considers the weather, conditions and your dog’s individual needs. We’ll never take a dog out if it isn’t safe.
Keep Your Home Cool
UK homes are built to keep us warm in winter, which means they can become uncomfortably hot in summer. Alongside keeping curtains closed and providing plenty of fresh water, there are a few simple ways to help keep your dog cool at home:
Add ice cubes to their water for extra cooling and enrichment.
Place a fan near their favourite sleeping spot, with a bowl of ice in front for a cooler breeze.
Keep water bowls in the rooms your dog spends the most time in.
Put cooling mats or damp towels in their favourite resting spots.
Create shaded areas in the garden with a parasol, shade sail or plants.
If your dog loves the water, a paddling pool can also provide some welcome relief on very hot days. Keep an eye on them while they’re playing, as dogs can still overheat in the water, and be mindful of local hosepipe restrictions.
Summer should be enjoyable for everyone, including your dog. Keep walks to cooler parts of the day, make sure they have plenty of water and give them somewhere cool and shaded to rest.
How do you help your dog beat the heat? Share your tips in the comments below.
Signed,
The IADL team
(Hank-approved)
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