5 do’s and don'ts for the summer

Protect your dog from the heat with these do's and don'ts. 

DO

1. Provide a lot of water

Just like us, dogs need a lot of water to stay hydrated on warm days. Therefore, provide a lot of (fresh) water for your dog and try to keep it in the shade. To keep your water extra cool this summer you can try our granite or marble dog bowls. Because these bowls are made from natural stone, they keep your water cool.

2. Create shade for your dog

Even though some dogs like to lay in the sun, create a shady place for your dog. Be careful with doghouses, as these places often trap heat, it can become very warm. Therefore, create a shady space where there’s also enough airflow. If it’s really hot, you might want to take your dog inside and put on an air conditioner or a fan.

3. Adjust walkies

Do not walk your dog during the hottest time of the day. As asphalt and sand can get extremely hot, your dog might burn his paws. The best time to walk your dog is very early in the morning or late in the evening. If possible, let your dog walk on the grass. To check whether the road is too hot you can do the 7-second test. For this test, you place the back of your hand on the ground for 7 seconds. If it’s too warm for you, it will also be too warm for your dog’s paws.

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4. Use a wet towel to cool down your dog

If you’re trying to cool down your dog, you can wet a towel and place it over or under your dog. Just keep in mind that you do not leave the towel on for too long as this might have the opposite effect. Also do not use ice-cold water as this can cause a temperature shock.

5. Do give your dog some ice treats

We all love ice cream during the summer, but so does your dog. You can add ice cubes to the water bowl for an extra cooling effect or simply let your dog lick an ice cube. You can also freeze some treats in water or make your own pupsicles. These ice treats will be super fun for your dog as they are both refreshing and entertaining.  Never give your dog human ice cream as this can cause diarrhea.

DON’T

1. Do not shave your pet

A (double) coat does not only protect the dog against cold weather but also warm weather. Cold air is trapped in the double coat to keep the dog cool. If you shave off this coat, you also take off his isolation. Therefore, you must take good care of the coat of your dog during summer. Groom your dog's coat regularly to avoid knots as these lower the performance of the isolating layer.

2. Don’t put cold water on their warm paws

If you feel that your dog’s paws are warm, never cool them down with cold water. A dog’s paws are warm and damp because your dog is sweating. If you apply cold water to the paws, this will close the pores and veins. This causes more heat as blood is not able to flow fast through the body. It’s better to use room temperature water to cool down the paws of your dog.

3. Don’t let your dog drink from pools, lakes, and seawater

The salt seawater is very bad for your dog. Because of the salts, it can cause dehydration and vomiting. Also, pools and lakes are not good for your dog either. During summer bacteria spread faster and therefore increase the risk of your dog getting sick when he drinks water from a contaminated place. Also, when water is standing still it’s easier to spread. Therefore, always take fresh water with you.

4. Use ice water when your dog is having a heat stroke

It can look really scary when your dog is having heat exhaustion. You can recognize overheating by

• Heavy panting
• Bright red gums
• Thick and excessive drools
• Balancing problems
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

When your dog is overheating, never try to cool your dog with ice-cold water. Ice cold water can cause a thermal shock, so it’s better to cool down your dog gradually with a wet towel for example. Also, take your dog inside and place him in an airconditioned room or in front of a fan. Immediately call your vet and ask for further instructions. A tip in case your dog doesn’t want to drink you can try to let your dog lick an ice cube. This will cool down your dog and get his water ingestion but at a slow speed.

5. Don’t assume your dog can swim

unlike a lot of people think, not every dog can swim. Most of the time this is caused by their physical appearance. For example, dogs with flat faces can’t swim because water easily gets up to their noses which makes it hard for them to breathe Also, dogs with a long body and short legs have a hard time swimming because of their weight distribution. Dogs with long, thick double coats have a hard time as well. They are struggling because the coat gets, in combination with the water, too heavy to swim. Therefore, always keep an eye on your dog when he’s swimming.