05/29/2026
That Summer heat is officially here, and we at Fetch and Focus cannot wait to enjoy it SAFELY!! 🏖
To keep our dogs safe we have three things we always do: know the signs, watch the dog for those signs often, and prevention prevention PREVENTION!!
Watch for the signs:
Check in on your dog often!! Watch what their tongue is doing as this is a huge indicator for temperature. You can also feel the inside of your dogs lips to see if they are hydrated. Wet = hydrated and sticky = needs some water. The biggest thing here is to make sure you are checking on them every few minutes.
Know the signs:
So how do I know how hot my dog is? Well the easiest way to tell is to look at their tongue! Panting with their tongue in their mouth means they're alittle warm but they're fine, panting with their tongue slightly out of the mouth means they're getting hot but they are still fine (but do make sure to keep them hydrated here and stop in the shade here and there), panting with their tongue extended and rounded at the end (shovel tongue) means they need to cool off NOW, and if their tongue is hanging out to the side or WAY out of their mouth that could be the beginning of heatstroke! See photos below for examples. If your dog is shaking, vomiting, drooling, in addition to panting they are likely in heat stroke and need to be cooled off then taken to the vet! If this happens, move them somewhere cool right away and use cool (NO ICE/ICE WATER) on their legs/feet, belly, and arm pits as well as a fan to slowly cool them off. Using ice or submerging the dog can send them into shock, just stay calm and let them cool off slowly.
Prevention:
First and for most watch the weather and know what temperatures are too hot for your dog's coat type (if you cant go out, maybe play some enrichment games inside)! Next check the pavement, hold the palm of your hand on it pressing firmly for 10 seconds. If it is too hot for you its too hot for them, maybe try walking in the grass next too the path, otherwise stay inside. Offer your dog cold water VERY often, ice is a great option for dogs that aren't already in heat stroke. Let your dog swim or dip their feet in water!! Cooling the feet/legs works wonders for regulating your dogs temperature. And lastly find some shade!! You'll have to cater to your dog often on these hot days, you may have to stop your walk multiple times to sit in the shade for a few minutes. Bonus points if you have a cooling mat!
