6 tips for a fantastic summer with your dog

Summer often means long, beautiful sunny days, which are perfect for wild and wonderful adventures. It is the perfect time to spend time outside with your dog. The summer heat harbors a few dangers for our dogs that are useful to know. You probably already know these as an experienced dog owner. Are you a new dog owner? Then this article can be super useful.

Dogs cannot sweat. This means that they can only cool their body temperature by panting. This is tiring and temperature compensation is only possible up to 30 degrees. Overheating or heat stroke is life-threatening for dogs. In this article, a number of useful tips to experience a fantastic summer with your dog and to recognize overheating in your dog.

1. Walk early or late in the day

In the summer, it is wise to avoid the midday heat. It is better to plan the walk with your dog as early as possible and in the evening at dusk. This may mean that you have to develop a new routine. If this is not possible for you in time, choose a walk that leads through a cool forest or park and avoid open fields without shade where possible.

Also be careful when running with your dog. Running is harder than normal in higher temperatures. A round next to the bike is therefore strongly discouraged in high temperatures.

2. Fresh water at home and on the go

Just like us humans, it is important for dogs to always have access to sufficient drinking water. If you are going for a nice walk with your dog, make sure you have fresh water with you. Make sure it is not ice cold. This can be too taxing on your dog's cardiovascular system.

Avoid plastic bottles to transport water in. Especially in summer, the heat can release harmful substances from the plastic, which then end up in the drinking water. To let your dog drink on the go, a collapsible water bowl is very handy. Because the water bowl is collapsible, it saves space and fits easily in your bag.

3. Splash, splash, splash… Have fun in the water!

If your dog loves swimming, this is the ideal way to cool your dog down in the summer. But the dog can also suffer from sunstroke in the water, because the head is not cooled and is exposed to the direct sun.

The best places to go swimming are places with flowing water, such as a stream, river or the sea. Lakes where you can swim are usually also safe. Check whether the water quality is monitored here. If not, it can pose a risk. At temperatures above 20 °C, just like in stagnant water, blue-green algae can be present in the water and contaminate it. If the dog ingests some of it through its mouth, it can lead to a skin rash, gastrointestinal complaints and irritation of the mucous membranes. Another danger is botulism. This type of contamination occurs when a dead bird or fish swims in the water. Possible symptoms of a botulism infection are severe gastrointestinal complaints and muscle weakness.

4. The floor can be lava. Take good care of your dog's paws.

On the beach, barefoot, you can quickly feel when it is too hot, because sand can also get very hot. Asphalt roads and cobblestones can also get very hot and cause painful burns to the paws. You can easily test whether the floor is too hot by placing the palm of your hand on the floor. If it is too hot to leave your hand there for a longer period of time, it is also too hot for the dog! Avoid hot floors and use forest and field paths.

To protect your dog's paws, you can apply a paw balm in the morning and evening. In the morning it covers the skin like a protective film and in the evening it cares for dry paws.

5. Never leave your dog in the car!

Not always convenient to bring your dog home first, but leaving your dog in a parked car is an absolute no-go in the summer! Even if the supermarket is on the way home, drive your dog home first and then go shopping without him. A car can reach extremely high temperatures within minutes, which a dog can no longer compensate for.

If you are in the car with two people, you can find a parking space in the shade and while one of you is doing the shopping, the other can wait with the dog outside the car or with the trunk open. You can also take advantage of the moment and go for a short walk, which is more fun for both of you.

6. Tips for beach or restaurant

Does your dog also want to dig to the other side of the world? Smart dog! Dogs know that the sand on the beach is deeper, wetter and cooler. When spending a day at the beach, make sure your dog has a towel. That way, he doesn't have to lie on the warm sand. You can also wet the towel, which is nice and cooling.

If you are going out to a café or restaurant, make sure you have a blanket for your dog , so he does not have to lie on a warm floor and he has his own recognizable place.

How do you recognize overheating in a dog?

Overheating or heat stroke is life threatening for dogs. Here are some symptoms that may indicate overheating in your dog:

• Your dog is noticeably restless, perhaps looking a little panicked (perhaps desperate for shade?)
• He is panting heavily and may also have increased salivation
• Severe redness on the inside of the ears, the ears are often warm
• Your dog is vomiting and/or has diarrhea
• He stumbles and seems absent

Do you recognize any of these symptoms? First try to cool your dog down, starting with the legs and then cool the rest of the body. You can do this with a wet towel or cool water from the garden hose. It is important that the water is not ice cold! If you are at home and have alcohol nearby, dab it, with a cloth, on the hairless areas of the dog, such as the groin and armpits. Alcohol ensures that the vessels are removed, which means that the heat is dissipated more quickly. Then take your dog to the vet immediately!