Summer is finally here, so here’s some help about how to keep your dog safe and cool

Wow it’s hot out there at the moment… so I thought I’d offer some tips for dog care during the summer.

Try the five second rule. Put the back of your hand on the pavement and if it’s too hot to keep on there for five seconds it’s too hot for your dogs to walk on. Remember they are walking directly on their pads which can get burnt very quickly. Surfaces heat up at different rates. If in doubt walk on grass (not artificial) or dirt tracks.

Walks are better either early morning or evening. Take plenty of water with you and try and stop in the shade often. Always have water in the car too so that your dog can cool off. I usually have a couple of bowls and bottles of water just in case.

If your dog starts to overheat DON’T put cold water on them. Use tepid water and wrap them in a wet towel or tee shirt. Get them to the vets ASAP if they are struggling to breathe. Heat stroke can cause serious illness and even death.

At home, you can use a wet towel in the garden or buy a cool mat for your dog. The cool mat is full of gel that remains cool and your dog will be happy to lay on it in hot weather. Rupert used to love an old marble fireplace or a piece of slate to lay on when he was a pup. Your dog will find the coolest place in the house on their own. And that includes being in front of the fan. If I go out, I leave my two in the crate, with the fan running and the window open.

Finally, I’ve already seen this year a report in the paper about a dog being left in a car. Despite it being advised every year, people still leave their dogs in the car. Temperatures in cars is typically double what it is outside. So on a day when it’s 22 degrees, it can get over 40 degrees very quickly. Even leaving all the windows open doesn’t make a huge difference. Your dog doesn’t sweat like humans and they pant to release heat or their paws get damp. At high temperatures your dog can have a fit, have problems breathing and may very well become unconscious in just a few minutes. If you do see a dog struggling in a car, call the Police first for advice before you break in to the car. Sometimes, a few minutes in a shop can turn into a lot longer so the owner is probably not far away.

TO BE SAFE, IF YOU NEED TO GO OUT, LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME.

Stay safe and keep your dog cool!