Feeling hot, hot, hot!

If you’re in the UK right now, you’re probably feeling the heat as a heatwave sweeps across the country – with temperatures set to rocket into the 30’s, it’s not just you that will be all hot and bothered.

Dogs feel the heat just as much as humans do, and in some cases, need extra precautionary measures to ensure they stay healthy and happy.

So as a pet parent, what can you do to ensure your dog has a safe summer?

Keep an eye on the temperature 

While the sky might be a glorious blue and the weather warm, resist the temptation to take your dog on a walk in the heat.

While they might be a little fustrated by this (Leo certainly is!), by avoiding walking them at the hottest parts of the day, you can avoid potentially blistered paws and heatstroke.

Stick to walking your dog early in the morning and later in the evening.

Before taking your dog on a walk, be sure to check the temperature of the pavement. To do this, simply place your hand flat on the ground. If the ground is too hot for your hand after 5 seconds, it’s too hot for their paws.

Here is a handy guide we made to help you decide when, and when not to, walk your hound:

Take water

This might seem like an obvious point, but you shouldn’t underestimate the power of simple hydration break for your dog on a walk.

Carrying a water bottle and bowl might seem like effort, but there are many options available that make keeping your dog hydrated on the go effortless.

At Cill Dubh Hounds, we have lightweight, collapsible travel bowls. They’re small enough to fit in a large pocket, but also come with a clip so you can attached to a belt loop or your bag. They’re also available in 12 bright colours.

You can get yours here.

Give them somewhere to cool to rest

Giving your dog somewhere cool rest is vital during hot weather.

A shady spot outside, or a cool room inside can make the perfect place for your dog to rest.

Adding a cooling mat can be great too. Cooling mats offer a “go-to” place for your dog to settle down and nap, and can help them to feel cooler.

Chose your cooling mat carefully! Some mats are made from a plastic material that can end up having the opposite effect, while others can contain gel that can be toxic to dogs if consumed.

That’s why we opt for a cooling mat made of cotton – yes, you might be skepticable of this, and we were too until we felt just how cool the cotton was. Leo tested this mat out, and he can confirm that in hot and humid weather, it’s a winner!

You can get one here.

Know the signs of heatstroke 

While we all hope the dogs in our lives will never suffer from heatstroke, it’s important to know the signs so that you can act fast if it ever happens:

Heavy panting
Being sick
Excessive drooling
Drowsy and uncoordinated
Diarrhoea 

The most common cause of heatstoke is exercise.

How to help a dog with heatstoke

If you see any signs of heatstroke in your dog, you must:

Call the closet vet immediately, even if this isn’t your usual vet – your dog needs help, and fast!

Make sure your dog has water
Make sure your dog is in the shade
Try to cool your dog down with cool water, but don’t wet their face

Dogs in cars

Never leave a dog in the car when it’s hot outside, winding down the window will not help.

If you see a dog in a hot car, you need to call the emergency services immediately.