Heat waves can feel almost unbearable, and thankfully we humans can cope with an iced coffee, AC, or maybe a high-powered fan. But what about your pup? In the dog days of summer, overheating is a real health concern for our furry friends, and it can seem impossible even to get them their usual exercise. In an internal survey, we polled members of the Furbo community for their advice, and gained excellent homegrown insight.
61% of Furbo dog parents cited that they keep their dog inside during the hottest parts of the day. In practice, this could mean taking a look at your weather app and seeing when the heat will peak throughout the day. Taking your dog on walks early in the morning and later at night will allow for a longer exercise time and less opportunity for exhaustion.
Additionally, it’s always important to check the temperature of the pavement before a walk. With many areas facing record-breaking heat waves, certain times of day might not be the best to take your furbaby on their daily walk. If you haven’t done this before, go outside when you want to take your dog on a walk and press your hand against the pavement. Hold for at least 10 seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. One solution if you live in a particular warm area is to get booties to protect your pup’s feet, which come in all sorts of sizes and can even double as water shoes.
IIf your dog loves to be outdoors no matter what temperature, there are a few ways to prevent them from getting too warm. Heat stress and exhaustion can occur if your dog’s body temperature exceeds 104°. Pay attention to how your dog normally reacts to hotter temperatures and be on the lookout for any abnormalities. Dog mom Rachel J. suggests accessories like a cooling collar. Cooling collars and vests use cold water on areas like the neck and chest, and the water thaws as your dog jumps and plays.
On the topic of water sports, pawrent Dayane R. uses a kiddie pool for her pup to play in the backyard. This dog mom also tosses in some frozen carrots as an added treat during playtime!
The sunshine and warm weather can be one of the best parts of summer, and there’s so many things you can do to make it as enjoyable as possible for both you and your furbaby. Remember, health and safety first - and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
