Summer in Port Elgin is one of the most beautiful times of year. The sun is shining, the trees are green, and the birds are chirping. The plethora of parks, trails, and beaches means there’s no shortage of outdoor adventures for you and your pup to have together. But how can you ensure your pup stays cool during your summer fun? Look no further! In this blog, we’ll go over our top tips to help you and your pup beat the heat and cool down this summer. 

Why Heat Poses a Risk to Dogs

Cooling down for humans is easy - if we get too hot, we can move to a cooler location, turn on a fan, crank the AC, or remove some clothing. For dogs, cooling down is trickier. Dogs’ primary method of temperature regulation comes from their ability to pant and sweat through their paw pads. Because of their limited ability to reduce heat in their bodies, dogs are highly susceptible to heatstroke, dehydration, and sunburn.

Common signs of dogs overheating include: 

• Prolonged panting or drooling 

• Unresponsiveness, fatigue, or weakness

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Increased heart rate

• Bright red gums or tongue

• Heat cramps, typically characterized by muscle spasms 

If your dog exhibits any of these signs, take them to the nearest hospital immediately. 

9 Ways to Keep Your Dog Cool This Summer

Cool your dogs paws

If you think your pet might be getting hot, the best way to cool them down is by putting cool water on their paw pads, not by pouring water on their bodies. You can encourage them to get their feet wet or touch them with a cool washcloth. You can turn a fan on your dog’s feet after wetting them to enhance the effect. A cool washcloth on the belly and legs is also an effective tactic to help your pup stay cool.

Keep your dog hydrated

One of the best ways to prevent overheating and dehydration is by keeping your dog properly hydrated before, during, and after any summer activity. Keep water bowls fresh and full at all times, and encourage drinking on-the-go by bringing portable water bottles and collapsible bowls with you wherever you go. 

Use cooling gear & paw protection

A great way to keep your dog cool during summer outings is by investing in cooling gear like cooling vests, protective booties, cooling bandanas, paw balm, and cooling mats. The Goo-eez CoolTek Bandana is a must-have summer essential for dogs who love to stay active or enjoy lounging outdoors. Crafted with advanced cooling fabric, this bandana helps regulate your pet’s body temperature quickly and effectively. Just get the bandana wet and wrap it around your dog’s neck to initiate the evaporative cooling effect and help them chill out.

Summer heat can be tough on our furry friends—especially those sensitive paw pads! 🥵 If the sidewalk feels too hot for your hand, it’s definitely too hot for their paws.  Hot pavement, sand, and rough terrain can quickly cause burns, irritation, or dryness. That's where protective products like Musher’s Secret and Goo-eez Lites Dog Boots come in.

Musher’s Secret is a breathable, wax-based balm made from 100% natural ingredients. It forms a protective barrier on your dog’s paws, shielding them from hot surfaces while keeping the pads moisturized and supple. It’s ideal for daily walks during heatwaves and also soothes dry or cracked pads.

For dogs who need added protection or adventure-ready durability, Goo-eez Lites Boots offer an excellent all-season option. Their gel-lined, form-fitting design and anti-skid rubber soles provide traction, shock absorption, and heat resistance—perfect for hot city sidewalks or rugged trails.

Whether you choose a balm, boots, or both, paw protection is an essential part of your dog’s summer safety gear.

Bring in cooling dog toys

Encourage your pup to stay cool by bringing water toys into the mix! Some of our favourite water toys include: 

• KONG Water Wubba is a summer splash essential for water-loving pups! Made with high-visibility neoprene (the same fabric used in wetsuits), this durable toy is designed to float high on the water, making it easy for dogs to spot and retrieve. Whether you're playing fetch at the beach or tug-of-war at the cottage, the Water Wubba is built for interactive fun. It dries quickly after water play, so it’s always ready for the next adventure. While it’s tough enough for tossing and tugging, it’s not designed for chewing.
  
  

• West Paw’s Zisc - This floating frisbee is perfect for games of fetch in the water or flying through the backyard!  Made from safe, non-toxic materials, the Zisc is gentle on your dog's teeth and gums while providing endless hours of fetch and interactive play.

• Earth Rated’s Fetch Toy is designed for unpredictable bouncing and high visibility, ensuring active playtime with your dog wherever you go. Its bright yellow colour makes it easily visible in grass and water, and it also floats for versatile play anywhere!

• The West Paw Zwig is the ultimate safe and durable alternative to sticks, designed for dogs who love to fetch, tug, and chew. With its unique twist and hollow, squishy feel, the Zwig is not only satisfying for your dog to play with but also safe for their mouths, making it ideal for both fetch and tug-of-war games. Plus, it floats!

• KONG Reflex Ball’s durable, flexible bounce comes from the same cutting-edge material as elite running shoe soles— so rugged it’s guaranteed to last through tough fetching. Bite-defying self-healing properties repair toothmarks for long-lasting, instinct-satisfying interactive fun. Floats for water play and stands up to the elements for seasons of fetching.

Seek shade

One of the easiest ways you can keep your pup cool is to keep them in shaded areas away from the sun. When walking or hiking, offer them frequent stops in the shade (and water breaks!). Avoid activities that occur in direct sunlight, and keep activities to early morning or evening out of direct sunlight. You can set up an umbrella in your backyard if you don’t have any naturally occurring shade, and make sure to keep a water bowl nearby for them to stay hydrated!

Groom smart 

When it comes to grooming your pet for summer, it’s likely a good idea to cut their hair a bit shorter than you normally would to help them stay cool. But don’t shave double-coated dogs, like Huskies, Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers! The extra fur may seem like it’s making them hot, but it actually acts as insulation to help keep them cool during the summer. Shaving this fur can result in temperature deregulation, overheating, and sunburns. Brush your pup’s hair regularly to help them shed any extra fur that might be clinging to their body and eliminates dirt and dandruff that might inhibit workflow. Brushing also helps to prevent mats, which can cling to your dog’s body and make them hot. 

Never leave your dog in the car

Never, ever, ever leave a dog in a car when it’s hot outside. Temperatures can rise incredibly quickly in a car during summer, even with the windows open. On even a moderately hot day of 22°C, the temperature in a car can rise to over 38°C in just ten minutes. On even hotter days, temps rise even faster. It only takes a few minutes for your dog to overheat and suffer from heatstroke. If you’re running errands in the summertime, leave your dog at home - it’s not worth the risk!  

Have fun in water with your dog

Set up a pet pool, splash pad, or other outdoor water elements to help your pup stay cool during the hotter months. A shallow kiddie pool is a great and easy way to get your pup comfortable around water in a controlled environment. Many dogs also enjoy running through sprinklers or through a splash pad! It’s a great way to get your kids and dogs to burn off some extra steam together. 

Avoid peak sun hours 

11:00AM - 4:00PM is typically peak hours when the sun is hottest, and temperatures can be dangerous for dogs. If you’re planning on adventuring with your pup, it’s a good idea to go earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon when the sun isn’t as strong. It is a good idea to always check the ground temperature before walking anywhere - grass, concrete, and asphalt can heat up incredibly quickly and can burn your dog’s paw pads. An easy way to decide if the ground is too hot to walk your dog on is to put the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it’s too hot for you to leave your hand down, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. Always try to walk your pup in the shade when possible, and you can try using protective booties or paw balm for an extra layer of protection on hot days.

Local adventures with your dog

Port Elgin is full of places for you and your pup to explore and stay cool at the same time. There are numerous pet-friendly parks and trails that are shaded and a perfect place to walk outside of peak hours. For instance, the Saugeen RailTrail, MacGregor Point Provincial Park, Saugeen Shores Dog Park, and North Shore Park Beach are all dog-friendly spots that offer shady dog-friendly outdoor adventure options.

If you’re looking for indoor options to keep your pup cool, check out our doggy daycare and our NEW Doggy Day Camp! We offer a climate-controlled play space and cool treats on hot days, like frozen KONGs and Toppls, and kiddie pools and splash pads. Get in touch with us today to reserve your dog’s spot and help them stay cool this summer!

Until next time,

🐾 Woofs & Wags
- Melissa & Oaklee 🐾
@unleashthepawsitive