Keeping Cool in Style: Summer Health and Fashion Tips for Dogs with Canine Expert, Dr Emma

As we continue to see high temperatures for the next few weeks, it’s not just humans who need to adapt their routines—our dogs do too. At Bew Dogs, we believe summer is the perfect season to combine wellness and fashion, and we’ve asked canine expert Dr Emma Scales-Theobald (@dremmacanineexpert) to give her take on how best to keep our pooches well all Summer long. From breathable accessories to practical health advice, here’s how to keep your pup cool, safe, and stylish this Summer.

Bew Dogs’ Tips for Summer Style & Comfort

As pet stylists and dog lifestyle specialists, we’ve worked with every breed, coat type, and temperament. Our top summer styling and comfort tips are:

1. Choose Breathable Fabrics

Our harnesses and accessories are made with lightweight, breathable mesh that allows for ventilation and comfort during walks or playtime – our summer harness is also a slimline version with minimal fabric. It’s always best to avoid heavy materials that can cause overheating.

If your dog is comfortable walking in a collar, summertime is a great time to switch to a breathable and lightweight collar.

Dr Emma’s take:

Remember, dogs can’t sweat! They pant to keep themselves cool, therefore ensuring your dog is in breathable fabrics will help keep their bodies cooler, so they don’t have to pant as much.

In temperatures over around 24°C, only do short and gentle walks with your dog to avoid them overheating. Consider avoiding doing a walk at all if it is too hot for your dog, like during a heatwave.

2. Go for Light Colours

Dark colours absorb heat, while lighter tones reflect sunlight—plus they look great in the sunshine. Pastels and neutrals are trending in dog fashion and are perfect for a fresh summer vibe.

3. Protect the Paws

Asphalt and pavements can get dangerously hot. We recommend checking the ground temperature with your hand and avoiding midday walks.

Dr Emma’s take:

Dogs paws can seem rugged and rough, but they are just as sensitive to temperature as we are. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.

Even artificial grass can get surprisingly hot and burn those little paws! Encourage your dog to walk on grass instead, which can remain a lot cooler on even the hottest days.

If possible, walk your dog early in the morning and/or late in the evening when it’s cooler and avoid the heat of the day.

4. Well-fitting accessories are a MUST

The number one question we get asked at events is why a harness is rubbing under a dog’s front legs. The answer is really simple: the harness doesn’t fit correctly. Well fitting accessories are important all year round BUT during summer months, there is more chance of a poorly fitting harness wreaking havoc on your pet’s skin.

For a perfect fit – especially on hard-to-size breeds such as dachshunds or frenchies – it’s really important to choose a harness that adjusts sufficiently around both the neck and body! This ensures that a harness is comfortable and safe… and we’ve got a 100% success rate in sizing dogs of all shapes and sizes. We are so committed to ensuring all dogs wear a well-fitting, comfortable harness or collar that we offer an online sizing service (just DM us so we can give you a hand) and FREE returns should your received accessory not be the perfect size first time round.

Dr Emma’s take:

Dogs often hide their feelings of pain, so seeing where a harness has rubbed is often the first sign of an ill-fitting harness. If left, a poorly fitted harness can cause fur loss, skin lesions and infections.

Behavioural signs to look out for also include stress and heavy panting, anxiety and reluctance to go for a walk, excessive scratching/rubbing when it’s on, changes in how they move, their activity levels, and even aggression. These behaviours can cause your dog to get hotter, so a well fitted harness is extra important during the summer. Fitting their harness perfectly will keep them happy and improve their overall quality of life!

Canine Summer Health: Expert Tips with Dr Emma

We’ve asked Dr Emma to weigh in on the key health concerns for dogs in the summer months. Find out everything you need to know to keep your dog safe this summer with the following Q&A:

Q1: What are the early signs of heatstroke in dogs, and how can owners respond quickly?

Watch out for signs of heatstroke in your dog! Signs include lethargy, excessive panting, excessive drooling, bright red gums, rapid heart rate, diarrhoea, vomiting, and confusion. If you’re concerned about your dog, try to cool them with cold water and get them to a vet as quickly as you can.

Q2: Are certain breeds more at risk in the heat? What special precautions should owners take?

All dogs have the potential to develop heatstroke, but some are more sensitive to the heat than others. These include brachycephalic (flat face) breeds, elderly dogs, young dogs (under 6 months old), overweight dogs, dogs with thick coats and those with respiratory and/or heart related health conditions.

If your dog is more at risk of heatstroke, it is important to take extra precautions to keep them cool by ensuring they have plenty of water and shade, avoiding walks and providing cooling aids, such as cooling mats.

Q3: How often should dogs be groomed in summer, especially double-coated breeds?

Grooming your dog more frequently during the summer can help them with regulating their temperature. This could be every few days or so, depending on the length and type of coat. Regularly grooming your dog can help them feel cooler by removing excess loose hair and potential mats that would trap the heat. However, ideally avoid shaving double coated breeds because their coats are designed to protect their skin from the sun and help to regulate their temperature.

Q4: Is it safe to use dog-safe sunblock, and when should it be applied?

Dog- safe suncream can help protect delicate areas of your dog’s exposed skin from the sun. Not all dogs need it, but those with thin hair, no hair, white/light coloured fur and pink skin exposed can benefit from the protection.  Typically, this could be applied to areas such as to the top of the dog’s nose/snout or their ears. Hairless dogs may require it all over.

It’s important to use dog-safe suncream instead of your own because human suncream can be toxic for dogs. Additionally, remember to reapply it every few hours, especially if your dog has been in water.

Q5: What are your top do’s and don’ts for keeping dogs safe during heatwaves?

Here are some of my top safety tips for your dog during a heatwave:

Do

-Make sure your dog always has water available. If you can keep the water cool, then even better. As well as trying to keep it in the shade, you can buy specially designed water bowls to keep it cool or add some ice cubes to it.

-Provide your dog with plenty of shade.

-Walk your dog during early morning and/or late evening to avoid the heat and take regular breaks.

-Walk your dog on grass, if possible. Grass is best for your dog to walk on outside because it stays much cooler.

Don’t

– Don’t leave your dog unattended in the car. It heats up quicker than people expect and can be deadly.

-Don’t walk your dog in the ‘midday sun’. Between around 11am-3pm are typically the hottest parts of the day. But depending on how extreme the heatwave is, the temperature could get too much for your dog earlier or later than that!

-Don’t walk your dog on tarmac. Tarmac absorbs heat and can get extremely hot – potentially burning your dog’s paws!

-Don’t ignore signs of distress. Keep a close eye on your dog’s behaviours for signs of heat stress and potential heatstroke.

Final Thoughts

Summer is a time for adventures, but our dogs rely on us to make those days safe, stylish, and stress-free. With a combination of expert-approved health practices and Bew Dogs’ fashionable, functional accessories, you and your dog can enjoy the sunshine with confidence.

Got a summer style story or health question? Drop us a message on Instagram, at [email protected] or visit our shop at www.bewdogs.co.uk.

Keen to learn more out dog wellness? Dr Emma has a wealth of information and free guides on her website.

Stay cool,
Team Bew Dogs & Dr Emma