Keep your dog cool during the heatwave using simple paw trick

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Britain is basking in a heatwave at the moment.

The record for the hottest day of 2022 was broken yesterday, according to forecasters, with a 28C temperature recorded at St James Park in central London yesterday (June 15).

While many of us will enjoy catching some rays, sipping Pimm’s and devouring ice creams, we must spare a thought for our pets too.

It’s important to keep our dogs cool in the heat.

You don’t want your four legged friend to get heatstroke, which can make them vomit and get diarrhoea.

So if you’ve got a pooch with you this weekend, be sure to follow these cool down tips that have been compiled by Natural Instinct.

The pet food company enlisted the help of Animal Behaviourist Kirsten Dillon, who revealed her top tips.

Here’s how to keep dogs cool in the heat

1. Always carry water – Provision of cool water is vital even in the mildest of heat. Make sure your pet always has access to water, day or night, when you’re travelling, on walks, vet visits – in short, everywhere!
2. Seek the shade – Never underestimate the importance of shade. The temperature can vary alarmingly between direct sunlight and shaded areas, so make sure your pet has access to shade wherever you are. Choose woodland walks or invest in a parasol for the beach.
3. Consider your pooch’s paws – Dog’s paws are nowhere near as tough as even the flimsiest of our shoes. Their pads are not dissimilar to our thumb pad. So, if you’re not sure about the temperature of the ground press your thumb against it for 20 seconds and see how it feels. Utilise shade, grass and earth as surfaces to walk on as concrete and asphalt get brutally hot much more quickly.
4. A trip to the groomers – Long haired breeds should be clipped for the summer, especially those such as Huskies or German Shepherd types. However, never let your groomer remove their undercoat. As much as this keeps them warm in the winter it also keeps them cool in the summer, so leave it be.
5. Dogs need sunscreen too – If your pet has white fur, a thin coat or exposed patches of low pigment (pink) skin, or indeed if they like to sunbathe on their back, you will need to use a pet friendly sunscreen. Human sunscreens have harmful ingredients that are toxic to dogs if ingested, so it’s important to invest in a speciality one.
6. Let them rest – No dog has ever been seriously negatively affected by missing the odd walk in the heat. If you can’t get out very early or very late in the day, then simply don’t go for a walk. Your dog will actually thank you for it.

If you think your dog has heatstroke, it's important to get them into the cool immediately.

Look for symptoms including panting, drooling, sleepiness, bright red tongue, abnormal gum colour, increase heart rate, struggles with breathing, vomiting or diarrhoea.

Give your pet plenty of water and wrap them in a cold, wet towel.

You should also contact your vet for help if your dog doesn't make a full recovery.

• Dogs
• Heatwave

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