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Walking Your Dog on Hot Days – 5 Essentials to Take with You
Jun
British summer’s might be temperamental, short, and often filled with rain – but we do occasionally see the sun come out, and when it does, we need to be ready!
Most dogs love being outdoors (admittedly, not all of them – some prefer to stay inside where it’s cool and comfy), and for those that do, it’s up to us as responsible owners to ensure that they’re safe when roaming around – preparing for hot weather is definitely a must and knowing what’s cooling for dogs in summer can save a lot of problems, potential heartache, and expensive vet bills.
We’ve put together a short list of 5 dog essentials that you should be carrying with you when you go travelling with dogs in the warm weather and share with you just why they’re so important to have on hand.
Lap Up the Attention with Fresh Water
Keeping your dog hydrated and having clean water on hand is super important – dogs can and do get heat exhaustion or even heat stroke, and it can have serious consequences that can even lead to cardiac arrest or even death.
When it comes to having clean water available, as some microbes and bacteria flourish in warm temperatures (and you have no idea who or what has been paddling in a communal water bowl), it’s always a better idea to have your own supply on hand.
Unlike people, dogs only have a few sweat glands located in their paws, and most of their body regulation for temperature is done by panting – but this method isn’t always able to cope with their needs, and if the dog’s body temperature reaches around 39.44°C (103°F) they can suffer from heat exhaustion – and temperatures of 41.11°C (106°F) or more can see their organs shutting down, and possibly their heart stopping.
When your dog’s body is focusing hard on trying to cool down, there is a higher risk of dehydration. On hot days, it’s been suggested that dogs need two to three times their normal amount of water in order to stay hydrated and cool.
So having plenty of water, and easily accessible bowl for them to have as much of it as they need is a must when it comes to cooling down dogs in summer.
We know that it can be difficult to carry too much kit when you’re out and about, and we highly recommend Em & Me Studio’s Collapsible Silicone Bowl, since it can fold away when you’re done, and also holds up to 800ml of water at a time!
Sit and Stay Cool
Whether you’re going off out to the beach, the park, up a regular trail, or doing a spot of hiking across rough terrain, you’re going to want to take regular breaks – and the same is true for your dog. But, where you’re wearing shoes, and are making the decision on which way to go – your dog is following your lead, and this means being very aware of your surroundings and ensuring the ground is safe for your dog to walk on – it’s not just sharp stones or unexpected wildlife you need to be on the look out for either, you need to monitor the temperature too.
A simple test of the ground (mostly associated with asphalt or concreted surfaces) is to touch the back of your hand to the ground and leave it there for seven seconds – if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dogs, and may burn their paws.
Being aware of this is important because dogs can suffer from varying degrees of burns, from 1st degree (reddened and swollen paws) to 2nd (clear visible blisters), and even 3rd (charred skin).
When you’re out walking in warm or hot weather, regular breaks should be a must, and when you do stop – having a blanket or mat to sit on isn’t just comfortable, it’s a layer of protection against the heat of the ground.
We love Band & Roll’s Dog Travel Blankets, which come in different sizes and colours, and are a handmade masterpiece in lightweight, durable, and travel friendly coverings (they even come with a shoulder bag) that are water and dirt repellent.
Treat Your Dog Kindly
The heat can make us irritable and unpredictable in our behaviour, and it’s no different for dogs – they can become lethargic, grumpy, or even over-excited and prone to distraction. This is where your dog’s training comes in to play, and more often than not – a reward to reinforce good behaviour.
Some dogs are motivated by praise, others by food, and others look for interaction with either their owner or their favourite toy.
Whatever it is that motivates your companion, it’s important to have it on hand. It’s scientifically accepted that reward-based training is the best way for your dog to learn, and when their mood or behaviour might be affected by outside influences (in this case, the heat), it’s more important than ever to keep a close eye on them – monitor their mood and their tolerance levels for engaging with others and their surroundings – and provide them with good reasons (rewards) why they should keep behaving themselves.
If your dog is motivated by food, it can be difficult to control how many treats your give them – so it’s important to pick a treat that’s low in fats, low in sugars, and isn’t going to promote obesity in them.
Our very own Peanut Butter Mini Biscuits (our most popular dog biscuit) are bite size and perfect for training – lactose, soy, meat, salt, and additive free, they’re ideal for dogs with sensitive tummies and are packed full of vitamins and minerals.
Throwing Shade … In a Good Way
As well as considering the heat of a glorious summer’s day, you also need to think about the light level – some dogs can be photosensitive, and bright sunlight can hurt your dogs eyes if they’re exposed to it for too long.
According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, “Bright sunlight can cause typical skin changes, even in black-coated animals,” and that for photosensitive dogs, they may express their discomfort by scratching or rubbing at, “lightly pigmented, exposed areas of skin (for example, the ears, eyelids, or muzzle).”
A lot of dogs will instinctively seek out shade when they’re too hot, or if they’ve had enough exposure to the sun, and it’s vital that you have shade available – even if you’re travelling and need to make it yourself.
Sitting in the shade can help them to cool down, and in the case of too much light, help ease the stress on their eyes.
You could do this by carrying a windbreak (such as you see on the beach), using a large dog travel blanket or simply stretching out your coat from the top of your backpack – anything that gives your companion a suitable spot to rest comfortably.
Keep Calm and Bring a Carry On.
Depending on age, size, breed, and temperament – some dogs are better than others when it comes to going out and about, and even the most energetic beasts can get worn out from exercising, especially in the heat when their body is working harder to reduce their temperature (panting, and sweating through their pads) – your dog is burning off a lot more energy than normal to cool down, and you need to prepare ahead of time for this.
When you’re out travelling with your dog, taking a backpack style dog carrier, that can be used for carrying all their bits and pieces, as well as them if they need it, is a simple option to be ready to help your friend when they’re too tired to walk another step.
It’s also a fantastic option if you’re taking a city break and need to travel through busy streets or take your dog into the (sometimes) sweltering heat of underground train services.
We recommend a K-9 Sports Sack sack of appropriate size and style to fit the needs of your companion.
Taking the time to prepare ahead, and have your dog essentials in their bag, ready to be grabbed on the go, means that you and your dog can enjoy your trip, without worrying that you’re not prepared for the heat – leaving you both to have happy trails!
