Your pet is an important member of your family and is extremely dependent on you, especially when it comes to staying cool in the summer months. Dog trainer, Danielle Hodges, explains how dangerous it is to neglect the temperature of your pet and shares some tips for ensuring they are cool and comfortable all season long.

1. Think about when and where you are walking your dog

It may seem obvious, but avoid taking your dog on a mid-day walk when the heat is at its peak. Instead, try to walk your dogs in the early morning or late evening to avoid overheating, and don’t take your dog to areas where the heat is excessive and they can’t cool themselves off. Use your judgement and assume that your dog prefers to stay at home on the cool tiled floor. However, if you absolutely must bring your dog along, consider sticking to areas with shade and bringing a misting fan to bring their temperature down when it gets too hot.

2. Make sure they have plenty of water

This is often overlooked, but it is crucial to never leave the house without a travel bowl and water bottle for your dog. Also, consider walking somewhere near a body of water where your dog can have a swim – this will give them a chance to cool down as needed and will make them very happy!

3. Consider your dog’s breed, age, and level of health

Brachycephalic dogs (short nosed breeds) have a much harder time panting and cooling themselves off.  Breeds like English bulldogs, pekinese and pugs should have their walks drastically shortened and should stick to the evening hours. If your dog is elderly, has heart problems, or is overweight this should be considered as well.

You don’t have to take your dogs for long walks to spend quality time together – pick a nice spot to relax and chill out on a cooling pad.

4. Don’t shave your dog’s hair too short!

The same way that our heads are exposed to sunburn, your dog is too if you shave their hair too short. Dogs that are double coated (meaning they have a thick outer coat of guard hairs and a soft, downy undercoat) should never be shaved. When you shave them down, you are exposing them to heat stroke, sunburn, and skin cancer.  They also rely on their double coat to regulate their body temperature and keep them cool. Some breeds of double-coated dogs include: huskies, German shepherds, Australian shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Labrador Retrievers. Rather than shaving them, consider investing in a cooling vest or a space blanket to cool them down.