Heat Safety and Dogs!

Heat safety is super important for yourself and your family, but don’t forget your dog(s)!

Maximus is super sensitive to heat and sun. After years of having farm dogs that didn’t really have issues with heat as they could usually jump in a pond or slough to cool off, I learned early on in Max’s life that this is not always the case for certain dogs or walking dogs in the city. I quickly learned just how sensitive when I had a few scares with him getting a but overheated while out walking in 80 degree weather!

Since then I always pay pretty close attention to the heat index, according to how my dogs individually can handle it (Penny is not as sensitive to heat as Max is!). I always carry water in the warm spring, all summer, and early fall, so basically anytime it’s around 65 degrees or higher. I also never walk the dogs on pavement, especially the really black stuff when the sun has been up for awhile as it can burn their paws! Check the pavement with the back of your hand to see if it burns you. If it burns you, it will burn your dog! We usually walk in the early to mid-morning and then wait until evening or late evening to walk again. We also usually walk outside the city near water, mostly because it is safer for dogs. The view is also much more pleasant!

Max will also get a really curled up tongue tip if he is too hot.

I had to learn that just because I wanted to walk, it didn’t mean that it was good for my dog to walk at that time. My best heat advice would be to always carry water, be mindful of the heat index and the type of area you are walking your dog, and try to walk in early morning or later in the evening when it is warm out.