Camp Bow Wow offers tips to protect your pup from the heat

With high temperatures this summer across the region, pet parents need to know how to keep their dogs safe as extreme heat can pose serious risks. Camp Bow Wow has provided the below summer safety tips to help keep pups safe during the warmer months.

How can I protect my pets from heat during the summer?

• Do breed research before deciding to shave away your pup’s coat! Many types of coats actually help a dog stay cool, and shaving it off can cause them to not be able to regulate their heat well and leave them open to sunburns as well.

• Ice, though fun for some summer puzzles, is not always good for pups. They can choke on cubes if ingested, damage their teeth if crunched, and ice should never be used in an attempt to cool off a dog suffering from heatstroke.

• Most pets’ coats do a good job protecting them from the sun, but dogs with shorter, lighter coats or thinning coats are at risk of sunburn and dog noses are also prone to sunburn. For bodies, the best option isn’t sunscreen but a sun shirt that provides UPF protection and is still lightweight and breathable.  For sunscreen options, you can get a spray like Epi-Pet Sun Protector, which is best for bellies or areas with thin hair, or try a thicker balm like Snout Screen for the nose. Be sure you don’t use human sunscreen (even brands made for kids) on dogs.

• A collapsible water bowl is a necessity for keeping cool in the summer months. These are lightweight and easy to transport because they fold flat, but are still inviting for a dog to drink from.

• Chilly or cool mats are a great way to keep pups cool when outside or when coming in from an adventure outdoors. On a similar note: Cooling vests and cooling collars are options to keep cool while on the move.

• Raised cots with a breathable, mesh hammock are also great for hot weather because they allow for airflow beneath the dog.

Are there any areas of the home and backyard people need to be especially vigilant about, like patios and summerhouses?

• Any paved area (patio, walkway, rock garden, etc.) may heat up too much to be safe for pets to lounge when it’s hot out. Even though lighter colored stone does a better job of staying cool than darker materials, it can still heat up too much for a dog to lay on.

• Traditional dog houses, greenhouses, and storage sheds in people’s yards can present a potentially dangerous place for dogs as they do not likely circulate air well and can get very hot.

• Pools, while great to cool off, can be problematic as well if a dog is not supervised around the pool. A dog may try to use the pool to cool off, but be unable to get out of the pool easily.

What temperature is generally too hot for pets? 

• Ability to handle heat really depends on the dog’s breed, coat, and health status. Dogs with shorter snouts will have a harder time regulating their body temperature and cannot handle hotter temperatures. Dogs with thick coats also may not handle the heat well as they were designed for cold weather. Dogs with health issues, very young, or older dogs may also not be able to handle heat well.

• Generally, anything over 85 degrees is too hot for any dog, regardless of climate. High humidity can make hotter temperatures more dangerous, so in humid areas, an acceptable temperature range will be lower. A mild, 70 degrees is usually a temperature most dogs can handle well, but again, does depend on the dog and the climate.

• When walking your dog during the summer, you can do a temperature check on the path by placing your hand flat on the ground and holding it for 10 seconds. If you can’t do this comfortably, it’s too hot to walk your pup on that surface.

Camp Bow Wow has two Hamilton County locations:

• Carmel: 489 Gradle Drive
• Noblesville: 17661 Cumberland Road

Learn more at campbowwow.com.