How to keep dogs cool in summer

Thick-coated breeds – including Huskies, St Bernards, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds and Chow Chows – also cope less well with higher temperatures, having been bred to be at home in colder climates. Heat risks can also be heightened if your dog has a black coat (which absorbs more light and heat), is overweight, or is young or elderly.

A particular heat hazard for dogs in summer is pavements and hard paths – on sunny days, these can reach shocking temperatures by the afternoon.

Some ways to help include:

• During hot weather, limit exercise to early morning and evening, and avoid the hottest part of the day – particularly if your dog is one of the at-risk breeds above.
• Know their temperature risks:
• 15°C – presents no risk to most dogs.
• 18°C – no risk for smaller and medium-sized dogs but larger breeds may experience difficulty, however unlikely
• 21°C – unlikely risk for smaller and medium-sized dogs, but there is a potential hazard for larger dogs
• 23°C – potential hazard for all dogs
• 26°C – potential hazard for smaller and medium dogs, this can be dangerous for larger dogs
• 29°C – dangerous for smaller and medium dogs, potentially life-threatening for larger dogs
• As a quick test, press the back of your hand against the pavement. If it’s too hot for you to touch, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws, so wait a while longer for walkies, or stick to grassy tracks.
• Never leave your dog unattended in your car on a warm day – temperatures can rapidly reach dangerous levels.