My dogs are true Oregonians. During the long, gray stretches of the year (so, most of it), they treat the sun like it’s a beloved eccentric relative whose visits are rare enough that all they want to do is bask in its presence. They stretch their bodies out to ensure that every possible bit of their surface area is available to be blessed by the rays, settle in, and lift their faces to the sun with the blithe languor of figures in a Slim Aarons photograph. When the actual hot weather arrives, they’re like every other person in the state who knows that we get two, maybe three months of this before the gray returns and thus wants to pack in all the activity they can.
Know your dog’s ballpark heat tolerance before planning any summer outings.
Because I grew up with a seemingly solar-powered Golden Retriever, I wasn’t aware that heat could be dangerous to dogs until I got my own first dog, a beefy little French bulldog who could overheat within 15 minutes on a hot day, as I discovered one scary afternoon. (This was back in the online Dark Ages, before the internet was a wonderland of pet memes, ethically sourced small-batch elk chews and strangers yelling at you for not knowing every single thing about how dogs work.) Since then, I’ve had several dogs with different levels of both tolerance and interest in warm-weather activities, and I’ve learned a few things about how to keep fuzzy friends exercised and entertained in the heat without putting them in harm’s way. Here are a few of them.
First and foremost, learn from my mistake and know your dog’s ballpark heat tolerance before planning any summer outings. Brachycephalic (the fancy name for scrunch-faced) dogs like Frenchies, Pugs, Shih Tzus and Boston Terriers are prone to obstructed airways and breathing problems even in the best of weather, but are at a particular disadvantage in the heat. The double coats of hardy dogs like Samoyeds, Chow Chows and Malamutes keep them cozy in the winter but can trap excess heat in the summer, especially if they aren’t brushed enough. Hairless or partially hairless breeds like Xoloitzcuintli and Chinese Cresteds can get sunburned, as can short-coated, light-colored breeds. Keep in mind that dogs run hotter than people, so a 77-degree afternoon that feels perfect for you may not be as great for your pooch.
If you’ve got a dog who absolutely needs to walk or run a few miles every day, you might have to decide between getting up at 5 a.m. or saying goodbye to every one of your couch cushions.
One easy hot-weather routine to adopt is making every mealtime a source of exercise. Get your pal moving by skipping the food bowl and putting their kibble into a feeder that rolls, wobbles or tips across the floor. The unpredictable trajectory of a wobble feeder keeps things challenging, and you can adjust the size of the dispenser holes if you want your pet to work harder for their food. If you live in a place with stairs, keep your dog guessing by putting small caches of food in balls or Kongs on different floors and encouraging your pooch to run up and down until they’ve had a full meal. Putting kibble in a puzzle bowl or slider box will also keep them busy, as will hiding food in a snuffle mat or ball. Between meals, sneak in some canine cardio at home with a flirt pole, which looks like a cartoon fishing rod with a rope and a lure and ignites your dog’s natural prey drive when you wave it in front of them.
The hottest hours of peak-summer days are between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., so the best time to schedule walks, runs and other outdoor activities is early in the morning or at dusk. If you’ve got a dog who absolutely needs to walk or run a few miles every day, you might have to decide between getting up at 5 a.m. or saying goodbye to every one of your couch cushions. (Ask me how I know.) Hot weather is also an opportunity to switch up your walking route and explore nearby areas; just by heading in a different direction than usual, my dogs and I have found dramatically shaded streets, mellow uphill climbs, tiny urban farms, and more. Be safe and do your research, obviously, but a change of location (and all the unfamiliar smells that come with it) can put some extra pep in your dog’s step.
In a yard or on a lawn, there are numerous ways to keep your dog simultaneously active and cool. Fill a kiddie pool with water and toss a ball or a floaty toy in for them to chase; if you’ve got a dog who likes to “dig” in the pool, make sure there’s something for them to find as they splash around. Chase them through the sprinkler or turn the hose on and let them dodge the spray. If you’ve got a sturdy shade tree and a pup who can’t get enough tug, a Tree Tugger is great for a quick hit of high-energy leaping and lunging.
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If your dog isn’t used to hot weather, get them acclimated by keeping walks and outdoor play sessions short at first and gradually lengthening them. Always bring water and a foldable dog bowl on long walks; if your dog is amenable to being spritzed, a spray bottle filled with cold water helps keep their temps level. Since walking your pal on streets or sidewalks gets riskier in the afternoons — asphalt absorbs and holds heat — always check before setting out: If the sidewalk or street is too hot for the back of your hand, it’s way too hot for your dog to walk safely on. Dogs cool down by sweating through their paw pads, and applying a protective paw wax to their foot beans creates a barrier between their paws and the pavement but doesn’t trap the heat. Not all dogs will tolerate wearing booties, but those who do will definitely be more comfortable on hot streets, as well as on rocky trails and beaches.
Cooling jackets have gone high-tech in recent years, with performance fabrics and aluminized finishes that ward off the sun’s punishing rays (and, as a bonus, make your dog look like a medieval knight). Cooling bandanas and hats can be soaked in water or popped in the refrigerator in advance of a hike. Wetsuits and rash guards offer a lot of coverage and UV protection; however, if you invest in either for your pup you might as well teach them to surf just so no one can accuse them of being a poser.
Since some dogs get sluggish in the heat, it’s always worth checking to see what air-conditioned big-box stores will let your buddy get their steps in. Home Depot and Lowe’s both allow on-leash dogs inside, as do PetSmart and Petco. Check out Pet Friendly Travel, where you can search by state to find a pet-friendly mall near you, but please don’t be the jerk who brings your pet to a mall that only allows service dogs — security might not kick you out, but you’re making the lives of folks with actual service dogs harder.
Wetsuits and rash guards offer a lot of coverage and UV protection; however, if you invest in either for your pup, you might as well teach them to surf just so no one can accuse them of being a poser.
There are a growing number of indoor dog parks popping up around the country at which a drop-in fee or monthly membership lets your pup enjoy spacious, climate-controlled facilities with paw-friendly flooring, ball pits and things to jump on. Seattle’s Dogwood Play Park has separate “active” and “gentle” play areas; Jacksonville, Florida’s Kanine Social Club has a dedicated area for small dogs. If you have a reactive or shy dog that’s not great at socializing, a Sniffspot might be the perfect fit: Like Airbnb, Sniffspot lists private dog runs, backyards, and indoor playrooms in your area that can be rented by the hour. And if you’ve ever suspected that your dog would be a monster on an agility course or crush it at dock diving, the summer months are a great time to explore options for training classes or facilities.
Finally: It’s always a little cooler by the water, and after a good splash and at least a few rounds of fetch with a nice stick, both you and your dog will be ready for a long nap. Stay cool and have fun: However you get your pet exercised, they’ll never be bored as long as they’re with you.
