3 Ways To Beat The Heat With Your Dog

Ohio – it’s hot, really hot. It’s so hot that it can be dangerous to take your dog outside in the middle of the day without proper precautions.

Caesar and I are use to daily walks, but when it gets this hot out, I have to be careful where I take him and how much walking we do. In the summer, 2 miles tires him out, whereas in the winter, he can easily do 8 miles and be ready for more.

Personally, I would love to live somewhere that stays between 40-60 degrees year round, and I’m pressure sure Caesar would too. While I could still walk 10 miles in the 95 degree heat (10 sweaty miles), my dog can’t, and walks are far more enjoyable when he’s with me and not looking like he’s about to fall over.

Caesar is 9 years old (70 in human years!) and has Cushing’s Disease. He is, however, in really good shape and already conditioned for long walks. So, while I’ve developed some tips to help you and your dog beat the heat in the summer, keep in mind that Caesar is in exceptional shape, but is also old. What you can do with your dog may vary.

1. Don’t Push Too Hard

In the fall and winter, Caesar and I go on vacations to hike. We’ve done up to 12 mile days before. While we do take small breaks when needed, I push Caesar, but am always watching his body language to make sure he’s okay. In the summer, the rules change.

In the summer, Caesar walks sloooooowww. Rather than making him keep my pace, I adjust to his. There are times when we’re moving at turtle speed, but it can be dangerous to push a dog too hard in the summer. When it’s hot, it’s not about how many miles we rack up or how long we walk/hike. It’s simply just about getting out and getting any sort of exercise possible. Some days that’s only 1.5 miles or even just 30 minutes. I always keep an eye on Caesar’s body language. We take more frequent breaks in the summer and we move when he is ready.

2. Carry Too Much Water

Caesar has Cushing’s Disease which makes him more thirsty than the average dog. I make sure I always carry more than enough water on my back. Even during a small walk, I load up my backpack full of water. Typically I take a 2 liter jug and a water bottle if we are doing a walk under 1 hour. I will carry far more if I plan a longer hike. I also have a collapsable water bowl for Caesar to drink from.

It’s always nice if we can hike near a water source, that way I can preserve the water I carry. Say, for instance, if we are in Cuyahoga walking near the Brandywine Creek, I will let Caesar get into the river to drink and cool down at any chance we get.

If you have the ability, walk near a water source, but make sure you are careful to check if the source looks clean. While you can’t guarantee there isn’t some sort of contaminate in the water, it helps if you avoid algae and standing water. Try to find a water source that is moving (this is why Brandywine Creek is perfect).

Don’t be caught in the heat without water!

3. Avoid The Sun

When it’s excessively hot outside, it’s important to avoid walking your dog in straight sunlight. The sun can increase body temperature and cause your dog to overheat quickly. When it’s hot and sunny outside, I only walk Caesar in wooded areas or at night.

While the woods can limit air, it’s amazing the relief it can bring when the sun is shining bright. This July 4th I desperately needed to get out of the house with my dog, but I knew it was way too hot to go on most paths. Not only would the sun cause him to overheat, but the sun can warm pavement so much that it could burn your dog’s paws.

I decided to take Caesar to Hesitand Woods in Van Wert. While it’s not a large woods, it provided us with much needed shade in the middle of the day. Plus, the wood’s floor was easy on Caesar’s paws. It’s amazing the difference some trees can make!

Most of the time, however, I don’t choose a woods if I’m looking to stay in the Van Wert area. Typically, I simply wait until at least 8:30 p.m. and walk Caesar either around my property or in town. While it can still be hot outside, it can be much easier and much more manageable to take a walk in the dark.

Personally, waiting until the sun goes down is my biggest preference when walking my dog in the summer. Even with a shaded woods, it’s much more hot in the middle of the day than it is at night. Caesar can walk a bit further after the sun goes down. Plus, we often loop around to the local splash pad (another great water source), and by that time, everyone is gone and we have it to ourselves. Caesar can lay in the water and cool off!

While each dog is different and handles the heat in their own way, I think these three tips can work for all dogs. Don’t overwork your dog, make sure they have water, and find a shady place to walk. Remember to always watch your dogs for signs of heat distress and to always play it safe; if it’s too hot outside, take a day off.