Dogs | Pet Care | Summer
Walking Your Dog In the Summertime
What You Need To Know
Happy Memorial Day! I live on the west coast and it is already starting to get hot outside. I see people walking their dog almost every day. They all mean well, but what are the consequences of walking your dog during the summertime?
- Heatstroke — Remember your dog is wearing a coat. “As heat stroke progresses dogs can develop bright red, pale, or blue gums, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, abnormal bleeding and bruising, and seizures.” PetMD
- Wearing/burning their paws
- Dehydration
What temperature?
Experts agree that it is generally safe to take your canine pal for a walk in temperatures of up to 19°C or 68°F, while anything over 77°F is considered very risky. If it is too hot for you leave your hand on the pavement and asphalt for at least 5 seconds, then it is too hot for your dog’s paw pads.
The RSPCA has a list of what you may notice if it’s too hot:
- Limping or refusing to walk
- Licking or chewing at the feet
- Pads darker in colour
- Missing part of pad
- Blisters or redness
What times?
The best time to walk your dog(s) is actually not at night, since the tar and concrete have not fully cooled down and definitely NOT during the day. Rather, the best time to walk your dog is early in the morning; so the street and sidewalk have had a chance to cool down and before the heat of the day starts. According to OwnYourWeather.com, “The coldest time of the day occurs approximately an hour or more after sunrise.”
Tips:
- Try staying in the shade
- Use dog safe sunscreen (recommended, not required)
- Be careful of brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs — “Their unique anatomy, which includes pinched nostrils and a narrow windpipe, makes it difficult for these types of dogs to cool themselves through panting, Moore says.”
- Bring plenty of water (for you and your dog)
Stay cool out there!
