Move the walks
In summer the best times are early morning and late evening. In the middle of the day, limit outings to toilet breaks, choosing shaded routes. If you work all day, a dog walker can do the early morning walk for you.
The back-of-the-hand test
Hold the back of your hand on the tarmac for seven seconds: if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for their paw pads. Choose grass, earth and shaded pavements.
Water, always
Always carry water and a collapsible bowl. In cities with public drinking fountains, knowing where they are changes the walk: it's one of the details PuppyHub's pet-friendly map will collect, only after verification.
- Never leave your dog in the car, not even for a few minutes
- Take care with flat-faced breeds, older dogs and overweight dogs: they suffer more in the heat
- After a swim in the sea, rinse the salt out of their coat
The signs of heatstroke
Very heavy panting, a very red tongue and gums, heavy drooling, weakness, vomiting or staggering are warning signs. Move your dog into the shade, wet them with cool, not icy, water and contact a vet straight away: heatstroke is an emergency.