Dogs love to be outdoors, and they love warm and sunny summers just as much as their owners do. However, it is important to make sure that your furry friend doesn’t overheat on hot summer days.

Because they can only release heat by panting or through the small number of sweat glands on their paw pads, dogs can quickly overheat in rising temperatures. On warm summer days, you need to take the following precautions to help your pup pal stay cool.

– Make sure your dog is always well hydrated

Dogs have a much easier time staying cool in the summer if they are hydrated and if they have fresh water available to drink at all times. Keep your dog’s water bowl full at home, and carry a bowl and an extra water bottle for your dog when you go out. You should be able to find a convenient, collapsible water bowl at just about any pet shop that you can bring anywhere you and your dog go together.

– Test the pavement before going for a walk

Before you take your dog out for a walk on a particularly hot day, test the pavement with your hand. If the pavement feels too hot to the touch for you, then it will be too hot for your dog’s paws as well. Consider hopping in the car and driving to a nearby park instead, where your dog will be able to walk comfortably on the cooler grass and dirt.

– Take walks in the morning or the evening

Another good strategy to avoid the hot pavement is to simply take walks in the mornings and evenings. The hottest part of the day usually falls between noon and 4 PM, so avoid these hours if you can. Always keep an eye on the forecast and plan your dog’s walks accordingly.

– Going to the park? Make sure shade is available

If you do decide to take your dog to a park on a hot day, then make sure there are shaded spots available for both you and your dog to cool off if necessary. Playing and running around under the summer sun can easily cause dogs to become too hot, but resting in a shady spot where they can pant away that excess heat can quickly cool them down.

– Never leave your dog unattended in the car

Easily the most important piece of advice for any dog owner to remember is to never leave your dog unattended inside a parked car. Sitting inside of a car that has been heated up by intense sun is just as uncomfortable and dangerous for dogs as it is for humans. It’s best never to take the risk, even if you leave the windows cracked and will only be gone for a few minutes. 

– Keep your home properly cooled

It’s always best to leave your dog at home in the summer when you run errands, but you’ll need to make sure that your home is properly cooled. Leave the air conditioner running for your dog, even if no one else is at home. If you don’t have an air conditioner or a nice, cool basement where your pup can go to chill out, then leave the windows cracked and keep some well-positioned fans turned on.

As you can see, it’s really not too difficult to take some extra precautions to help your dog stay cool in the summer. Be mindful of your pup’s needs, and you’ll both be able to enjoy the summer warmth.