There is such a rarity to see splendid sunshine here in the UK, when summer arrives we all want to be basking in the heat wave. Having a dog always seems ideal to take them out for a walk to take advantage of the great weather before it disappears. For those of us with furless bodies, it can be great but for our four-legged companions, a walk in the hot sun might not be so pleasant. For us at OhMyPaws, it’s a great time of year to be a dog walker but we’re always mindful of our furry friends and their needs to stay cool and enjoy their walks with us without overheating. When we take our canine customers out on walks, we take our responsibility very seriously as heatstroke can be deadly for dogs.To keep our dogs out of the hot sun and off the red hot pavement, we always try to stay in the shade and often use woodlands to do this.The following are just a few things we do to make exercise fun, safe, and cool for the dogs.
Although it's obvious, it's amazing how many people are out and about with their dogs and there is no water in sight. Or you see people sipping juice outside a cafe while their dog pants by their feet without access to water. In addition to offering water before and after a walk, the dogs should have access to it during the walk as well. In hot weather, dogs often have just as much energy for the first 10 minutes, then they start to slow because they are becoming dehydrated. Water needs to be offered as soon as the dog starts panting. Additionally, we dribble water along their backs if the day is particularly hot.
The summer months are ideal for paddling pools, but probably not on a walk. Your routes are planned ahead of time, and we look for safe and clean (as much as is possible) streams and rivers along the way for your dog to have a paddle or swim in. It depends on the breed and personality of the dog, some will splash around quite happily, while others will need a little encouragement. Be prepared, you might have to get your feet wet and help them in.
There is a common misconception that all dogs can swim, so be sure your dog is not out of his depth or panicking.
The breeze coming through car windows is great for us humans, because we naturally sweat the cool air on our skin, which cools us off. Dogs do not sweat, they pant and lose heat through their pads, so a breeze is of little use to them when trying to cool down. On really hot days for your journey, we sometimes freeze a plastic bottle, cover it in a thin towel, and place it near the dog so he can lean on it if they feel too hot.Summer should be a great time for everyone. By planning our journeys we ensuring your dog has access to shade, water, and a paddle to make sure the experience is enjoyable, rewarding and safe for everyone.
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