As we get into the warmer months of the year, it’s essential to consider how to keep your Spaniel cool. In our experience, it’s well worth taking a bit of time in advance to make sure you have whatever plans and equipment you need in place. It’s all about preparing in advance, so you’re not rushing around when that hot spell arrives.
In this guide to how to keep your spaniel cool in summer, we’ll help you:
- Understand what you can prepare in advance
- Identify the signs you need to look out for when the hot weather hits
- Suggest some useful equipment to keep your spaniel cool
- And, lots more
Take Them For Walks During Cooler Times Of The Day
One of the simplest and most effective ways of keeping your spaniel cool is to take them for walks during the cooler parts of the day, early in the morning or late in the evening. And, if you think it’s too hot during those times, err on the side of caution and don’t take your dog out at all.
Your spaniel can deal with a couple of days with fewer or no walks, but can’t deal with hot weather.
We sometimes find that evening walks are still too hot, so prefer to go for early morning walks and always keep an eye on the weather forecast a day or two in advance.
There are a number of other ways to keep your dog occupied during hot weather if it’s too hot for a normal walk.
Carefully Plan Your Walking Route
Thinking about the best route to take before leaving the house is a must during hot weather. Try to select a route that has plenty of shade for both you and your dog or might have somewhere for your dog to swim or paddle along the way.
Also, consider shorter circular routes that would allow you to easily get back home if you start seeing signs of your dog struggling.
Always Take Water
Water is essential for your dog all year round, particularly during hotter periods of the year. If you go out with your dog when it’s hot, remember to take a water bottle (and bowl if need) with you for them to have the occasional drink.
Constantly Monitor Your Spaniel For Signs Of Heat Stroke
Your dog will suffer from a heat stroke if they get too hot and overheat. Heat stroke can develop quickly, occurs when a dog can’t reduce their body temperature and can, in some extreme cases, be fatal.
There are a number of signs that your dog might be suffering from heatstroke, including:
- Heavy or prolonged panting
- Lethargy or long periods of inactivity
- Confusion or loss of coordination
- Foaming at the mouth or higher than normal drooling
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Shaking or bodily weakness
- Seizures
It’s imperative that you act quickly if you think your dog is suffering from heat stroke, contact the vets, and immediately:
- Move them into a cool and shaded area
- Attempt to keep them calm
- Give them small amounts of cool water
- Place them on a cooling mat or wet towel
- Pour cool water over their feet, ears and head, moving to their body as they become more comfortable
- Transport them to vets whilst keeping them cool and hydrated
Protect Your Spaniel’s Paws From Hot Surfaces
Some surfaces such as tarmac, paving and sand can heat up and be painful for your spaniel to walk on in hot weather. If it’s too hot for you to touch for a few seconds, it will definitely be too hot for your dog to walk on.
Just be sure to plan your route accordingly and avoid walking on these surfaces.
Never Leave Your Spaniel In A Car
Please don’t ever leave your dog in your car unattended, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Even if you’re parked in the shade with windows open your spaniel can become uncomfortable and distressed and in extreme cases, suffer from heatstroke - which can be fatal.
If it is essential that you travel with your dog and a very hot day, be sure to have the air conditioning on (ideally before the dog gets in the car), cover the windows so they don’t have to sit in direct sunlight and take plenty of water and a cool mat with you.
Keep Them Appropriately Groomed
Keeping your Spaniel’s coat short and tidy during the summer months will definitely help to keep them cool. Whilst Spaniels do shed their fur, it’s always sensible to keep brush and clip their coats to ensure they aren’t too thick and are free of knots and tangles.
We take our Spaniel to a professional groomer three to four times a year, making sure her coat is short during spring and summer.
Let Them Swim And Paddle
Allowing your dog to go for a swim or paddle in a safe, clean and shallow pond, lake or stream is a great way for them to cool off. Plan an appropriate place for your walking route and you’ll have a happy, albeit soggy, dog!
Keep Them Cool At Home With Some Essential Accessories
There are a number of really useful and relatively inexpensive accessories you can purchase to help keep your Spaniel cool, including:
- Cool mats
- Cooling bandanas
- Cooling vests
- Dog-specific splash pools
Final Thoughts
We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide on how to keep your Spaniel cool in summer. Keeping your dog comfortable during hot weather is extremely important, but does require a small amount of advanced planning and preparation.
All content is written by actual Spaniel owners.
