Help, my dog is melting! 10 essential summer tips for a cool holiday with your dog

Early mornings or late evenings are the best times to go for walks. The temperatures are still pleasant, and James can happily sniff around without panting like crazy. During the day, we only do short potty walks and head back to the shade as quickly as possible.

During the day, it’s all about staying cool. Whether we’re at the beach, on a campsite or at a café terrace, we never settle without a shady spot. And when we’re travelling with the camper, James has his favourite chill spot: stretched out under the camper, away from the sun.

Cooling mats work great. No mat? A wet towel on the ground does the trick too, as long as you don’t wrap it around your dog. We also love using a cooling vest. At first, James wasn’t too keen on wearing it, not a fan of having stuff around his body, but now he happily trots around in it.

The travel water bottle goes everywhere with us. James gently taps it with his paw or nose when he’s thirsty. Just make sure to refresh the water regularly, especially if the bottle’s been sitting in the sun.

Wetting your dog’s belly and paws with a sponge or spray bottle can help them lose heat more easily. Use lukewarm to cool water. Avoid ice-cold water, as it can actually cause blood vessels to constrict and make cooling less effective.

Nose, ears and paw pads can easily burn, especially in dogs with light coats or thin fur. Always use sunscreen specially made for dogs, as it’s pH-balanced for their skin and won’t cause irritation. We also apply paw balm to protect the pads from hot surfaces and keep them from drying out.

James’s coat stays long enough in summer to keep him insulated and protected. A dog’s coat works like natural air conditioning: it blocks the heat and prevents sunburn. We never trim James shorter than 25 mm. Shaving? Only after consulting a good groomer, because cutting too short can backfire.

Never leave your dog alone in the car. Not even for a “quick moment.” Temperatures skyrocket: at 27°C outside, it’s 37°C inside within ten minutes, and after half an hour it can reach 45°C. Life-threatening. If your dog can’t come with you, it’s always safer to leave them at home.

Shade is essential on beach days. We use a Fatboy beach tent: easy to set up and always a shady spot at hand. A thick blanket or cooling mat keeps your dog off the hot sand. Swimming is great fun, but make sure your dog doesn’t drink seawater. That’s a guaranteed recipe for tummy trouble.