There’s no question that each year, the summers seem to get hotter and hotter, so it’s important we know how to keep our pups safe in hot weather to avoid health-related risks like heatstroke.
In this article, we’ll give you our top tips for keeping puppies safe in hot weather, advice on how to walk your puppy in hot weather, and how to train puppies in hot weather. We’ll also list things to be aware of with hot weather and puppies, and some frequently asked questions about puppies in hot weather.
Download the Zigzag puppy app for a full training programme, you can do in hot or cold weather with your puppy. There’s also a team of professional dog trainers waiting to talk to you 24/7 via our in-app chat. They can provide hot weather advice and how to keep your pup cool, too.
Keeping your pup safe in the summer – Zigzag’s expert advice
Preventing your puppy from getting too hot by keeping them out of the sun is one of the easiest ways to keep them safe. Here’s our top tips for beating the heat and keeping your pup safe in the summer:
- Check the weather forecast and plan for the next day – it’s OK to adjust your walking routine, or simply skip a walk if it’s going to be too hot. No puppy or dog ever got sick from missing a walk.
- Walk in shady areas, near rivers and streams, if it’s safe for your puppy. Then they can go in for a dip or swim and cool down.
- Keep your puppy indoors during the hottest parts of the day, so they’re not tempted to sunbathe and overheat
- Use fans or air-conditioning if you have it – it’s fine to use a fan on a puppy, and it will help air to circulate.
- Provide plenty of water. Dogs should get access to water 24/7, and will drink a lot when it’s hot. Make sure you replace their water regularly as it will warm up quickly.
- Feed wet, raw or cooked food as it has a high water content, or wet your puppies’ kibble to get extra water into them.
- Use a paddling pool in your garden and let your puppy cool off in there.
Walking your pup in the hot weather
If the weather’s hot, and you’re considering walking your puppy, think again! Honestly, if it’s super hot outside, you’d do well to skip the walk and do enrichment and training at home instead. Your puppy won’t get bored if they have mentally tiring things to do.
If you really must walk your puppy in hot weather, then follow these tips to stay safe:
- Wake up early and take your puppy out before 10am, so that you’re not out in the hottest part of the day.
- Walk in shady areas
- Carry lots of water so that your puppy can have plenty to drink and stay hydrated
- Avoid high activity games, that might cause your puppy to overheat, such as fetch or running around too much
Puppy training in the hot weather
Puppies may be more lethargic during hot weather and less inclined to train when it’s so warm, can’t blame them really! To get your puppy still engaged in training, use a structured programme like the Zigzag puppy training app to give you daily tasks to do with your puppy.
The great thing about using a puppy training app in hot weather is that it gives you exercises you can do at home, in the cool shade. We teach puppies new skills in environments they are most comfortable with first, before we take them outside, as this is where they’ll learn the best.
Signs of puppy distress in the hot weather
It’s important to spot any signs of distress in your puppy, or signs that they’re overheating. Puppies can’t regulate their temperatures very well, and can go downhill quite quickly if they’re not drinking enough.
Puppies not eating
Loss of appetite is common in puppies when the weather gets warm. If your puppy isn’t eating, and this goes on for a prolonged period, do contact your Vet.
Read more in our articles on puppy nutrition, or how much you should feed a puppy.
Puppy personality changed
If your puppy seems sad, lethargic or quiet, this can be a sign that they may have gotten too hot and are struggling with the heat. They can also get quite bitey and irritable, so might seem more grouchy, or even more aggressive than normal.
Burned pads/paws
Pavements and asphalt get very hot, and puppy paws are sensitive, so can get burnt by walking on the hot surface. Even if you walk your puppy late in the evening, the ground has been heating up all day, so take care. If it’s too hot for you to walk on barefoot, it’s too hot for your pup too.
Signs of heatstroke
Signs of heatstroke in puppies are as follows
- Panting and heavy breathing
- Increase in heart rate
- Drooling excessively
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Convulsing or fitting
If you see any of the above signs, be sure to get your puppy out of the heat straight away, cool them down, and consult your Vet.
How to keep a puppy cool in summer FAQs
Can puppies stay outside in hot weather?
No, it’s better that they don’t! Puppies don’t regulate their temperature very well, and can be in danger of overheating.
Can I cover puppy crate in hot weather?
If your house is cool, then it can be OK to cover the crate as you normally do, but it will trap heat, so be careful.
How to keep puppies cool in hot weather?
Walk your puppy early in the day in shady spots while it’s still cool, keep them indoors during the hottest parts of the day. Provide plenty of water, make some pupsicles or frozen dog treats, and set up a paddling pool in your garden.
Do take care when the weather is hot, as it can be really dangerous for puppies and dogs to get hot, especially if you have a brachycephalic breed like a French Bulldog, Boxer or Pug as they will struggle even further due to their restricted airway.
Read more in our articles ‘When is it too hot to walk my dog?’ or how about learning ‘How to teach my puppy to swim’.
Download the Zigzag app, and you can train at home instead of braving the heat. You’ll keep your dog’s brain active, and they won’t miss the walk. You can also catch up with our Zigzag puppy coaches for more advice on how to keep your puppy safe in hot weather.
