Animals – Summer safety for your dog

For dogs, summer is the season of sandy paws, romping in the waves and long snoozes under the backyard tree. But as the warmth settles in, it’s not just humans who feel the heat – our dogs do, too.

Unlike us, dogs can’t shed layers or sip iced tea under a fan. They rely on us to keep them safe, and many people underestimate just how vulnerable dogs are to summer-related problems.

Hot cars: A recipe for disaster

Let’s start with a classic and deadly mistake – leaving a dog in a parked car. Even with the windows cracked, a car in the sun becomes a sauna in minutes. On a 25°C day, the temperature inside a car can reach 35°C in just 10 minutes and climb to life-threatening levels shortly after. If you wouldn’t sit in a car wearing a fur coat on a summer day, don’t leave your dog there either, not even for a quick errand. Short-snouted breeds like bulldogs, pugs, and boxers, known as brachycephalics, are especially at risk.

Their compact airways make it harder for them to pant effectively, meaning they overheat faster than other dogs. However, heatstroke isn’t just about dogs left in cars – it can occur in other, less obvious ways.

Over-enthusiastic play: Chasing balls or zooming around the yard in the midday sun is definitely your dog’s idea of fun, but it can quickly overheat them and some pups just don’t know when to stop.
Poor shade or ventilation: Dogs left without adequate shade or airflow are essentially roasting under the sun, especially in enclosed spaces like kennels.

Exercise at the wrong time: Especially for brachycephalics, even a simple walk during the hottest part of the day can put your dog at risk, and hot pavement can also burn their paws.

Signs of heatstroke include heavy panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting and collapse. If you suspect heatstroke, move your dog to a cool area immediately, offer small amounts of water, and wet their fur with water while encouraging airflow. Then, get to a vet as soon as possible.

Sunburn: Not just a human problem

Dogs can get sunburned, too, particularly those with sparse fur and pink skin on their bellies, noses and ears. Sun-worshipping dogs who love to sprawl belly-up in the sun can develop painful burns and it increases their risk of skin cancers such as hemangiosarcomas. To prevent sunburn, apply pet-safe sunscreen to sensitive areas and discourage sunbathing during the sunniest parts of the day.

I hope you’re looking forward to a long, lazy summer. Your dogs will love spending the time with you, too, but remember, you’re the grown-up in this relationship! Protect them from the dangers of heatstroke, sunburn and other summertime hazards so they can enjoy the season safely by your side.