How Hot is Too Hot For Dogs? How To Protect Your Dog in Summer Heat

It’s summertime! When it comes to outdoor activities or chilling out in the house, it’s important to keep your dog’s body temperature in mind. From car rides to walking on the pavement, we have to remember just how hot it is outside. If you’re sweating, there’s a good chance that your dog is too! But how hot is too hot?

How hot is too hot for dogs?

The most important thing to remember is that all dogs are different. Just like humans, dogs can be more or less tolerant to hot weather. For example, puppies, senior dogs, brachycephalic dogs, and small dogs are more likely to be affected by heat more than other dogs. A good guideline is to start thinking about your dog’s heat tolerance once temperatures reach about 75 degrees. Remember that pavement in direct sun can be up to 60 degrees hotter than the temperature.

Once temperatures rise into the 80s and 90s, it’s time to keep. outdoor time minimal and shorten walks or keep them to the cooler times of day.

How to protect dogs from hot summer weather

As pet parents, we want to make sure your pups stay as cool as a cucumber when the temperatures start rising in your area. At Pet Releaf, we outlined 5 ways to make sure your fur friend is happy in the sun as well as out of it.

1. Exercising

Getting daily exercise is vital for not only your health but your pup’s health as well. When you exercise with your dog, you may want to consider going on long walks or hikes in the early morning or late evening. Since the afternoon is usually the hottest part of the day, you’re beating the heat by going outside during the cooler hours.

2. Paw protection

Before you take your dog out for a walk, make sure to place the back of your hand on the sidewalk pavement. If you can’t hold your hand there for more than a few seconds, it’s way too hot for your pup to walk on. Try letting them walk on the grass instead so you can shield their paws from hot surfaces. If your pup’s paws do get affected by the hot pavement, you may want to consider trying our Skin & Paw Releaf to help relieve the burn on their paws! You can apply daily to their paws as needed to help moisturize the area.

3. Frequent water refills

To keep your pup hydrated, always make sure that their water bowl is constantly filled with fresh, clean water. This is also important when you bring your dog to the park or for a hike. Make sure you bring enough water for you and your pup to share so you can fill their portable dog bowl with cold water to stay refreshed.

4. Stay in shaded areas

We know that laying out in the sun can be incredibly relaxing for us humans, but it’s important to keep your dog in the shade. Tree shades and covered decks can provide your pup with some cooler air rather than them being directly in the sun. It’s also highly recommended to not keep your dog in the car on hot days. Even if it’s only 70 degrees outside, your car can be 20 degrees warmer. It’s best to leave your dog at home in the air conditioning or by a fan to keep them cool while you run your errands.

5. Don’t shave your dog

It may be surprising, but it’s actually better to not shave your dog in the summer. As your dog’s coat protects them from sunburn, it’s actually best to keep it on! But, you can trim your dog’s fur to help keep them stay cool this summer. If your pup’s fur often gets matted up, it’s a great idea to keep that trimmed as the matted hair can trap heat.

If your dog is accidentally left outside in the heat and is showing signs of heatstroke, please contact your veterinarian immediately.