Summers are warming up, temperatures are rising, and as such people are looking for solutions to help keep their dogs comfortable in the heat.

Premium dog gear brand, Ruffwear, believes a happy dog is a dog outside, and no one wants to forego an adventure because it’s too hot.

So, to help prepare your pup for the warmer weather, here’s some advice from Ruffwear to make sure your dog remains a cool canine, even in hot weather.

Spot the Dangers

Dogs regulate their body temperature differently to humans. They don’t use their skin to perspire because of their coat, they do have sweat glands, however, sweating plays a minor role in regulating body temperature. The main way your dog cools down is by panting to circulate the necessary air through its body.

Because of this, when it gets very hot and humid it can become dangerous for a dog. They respond in several ways including conduction (seeking out shade to absorb the coolness), convection (blood vessels dilate to bring hot blood closer to the surface), and evaporation (panting to bring air into their upper respiratory system).

If they struggle to do this, for any number of reasons, they can end up in severe danger, which is why we see the tragic scenario of dogs dying in hot cars.

Ami Sawran, vet at Westpoint Farm Vets, commented “We have to be sensible about keeping our dogs safe in the heat, so make sure to plan in advance. It’s extremely important for dog owners to understand the severity of dogs overheating and recognise the signs in order to prevent this from happening. All dog breeds are vulnerable to the heat, so it’s also vital to be educated in knowing what to do in the instance and what course of action to take.”

With that in mind, and to help you protect your pooch this summer, here’s some advice and some products from Ruffwear.

Wrap Them Up

You might think this sounds counter intuitive to wrap your dog up when it’s hot, but we’re not talking about a nice warm coat. Cooling jackets that use the process of evaporative cooling are a fast and effective way of keeping your dog cool. Ruffwear offers an extensive range of cooling products including; The Swap Cooler, Jet Stream Cooling Vest and the Core Cooler.

By combining a wicking outer layer that facilitates evaporation, a middle layer that holds water for evaporation, and a comfortable inner layer that transfers the cooling effect to your dog. Ruffwear’s range of cooling products are a fantastic way to ensure your canine can still be your companion on the long summer walks. You can also wrap your dog in a wet towel or put a soaked towel down in the shade for them to lay on to help with evaporative cooling.

Keep them hydrated

Dogs need water, and lots of it, especially in the hot weather. Take a bowl with you on every walk like the Quencher Clinch Top or Trail Runner Bowl from Ruffwear to make sure they are getting a good, regular drink.

Try adding ice cubes to the water or making some dog friendly frozen treats for them to get their teeth around.

Protect Their Paws

Hot weather means hot pavements, which can be harmful to paws. Many dogs get injured walking on burning tarmac and scorching hot pavements – imagine trying to walk everywhere in bare feet in the summer - not a nice proposition. Some good advice to follow is the five-second rule, if you can’t hold your hand against the ground for five-seconds it’s probably too hot for your dog.

The best solution in this case, is to get your dog a pair of boots. Ruffwear’s Grip Trex boots are built with a Vibram rubber outsole that provides great traction on any terrain and a breathable mesh upper that provides ventilation and keeps dirt and debris out. Meaning they’ll protect your pups’ feet from getting burnt but won’t cause them to overheat.

Accapi Group Managing Director, Rob Hughes said: “As the hot weather returns and temperatures continue to rise, it’s so important to think about your dog’s safety before heading into the outdoors. There are many dog owners that don’t realise the danger they are putting their beloved pet in when exposing them to high temperatures which is why we’re encouraging all dog owners to think about adequately protecting their four-legged friend before stepping outside.”

Discover more about Ruffwear’s cooling products here: https://ruffwear.co.uk/pages/cool-dog-gear-for-hot-weather