{"id":11447,"date":"2026-05-22T15:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/?p=11447"},"modified":"2026-05-22T20:01:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T20:01:42","slug":"summer-dog-care-guide-how-to-keep-your-best-friend-safe-cool-and-happy-this-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/summer-dog-care-guide-how-to-keep-your-best-friend-safe-cool-and-happy-this-season\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Summer Dog-Care Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><p><strong>In this article:<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#how-to-keep-your-dog-cool-this-summer\">How do I keep my dog cool during the summer?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#how-to-have-fun-with-your-dog-this-summer\">How can I have fun with my dog during the summer?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#how-to-help-your-dog-avoid-common-hazards-this-summer\">How can I help my dog avoid common hazards during the summer?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#more-fun-reading-about-dogs-and-summer\">What are some more fun things to read about dogs and summer?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><p><em>This article was originally published in July of 2024, and has been updated<\/em>.<\/p><p>Summer is a chance for many of us, human and canine alike, to spend time outside and have fun&mdash;going to pools, parks, and ballgames; eating on patios; and taking road trips, to name just a few reliable warm-weather standbys.&nbsp;<\/p><p>But when should dogs enjoy the sunshine, and when are they better off chilling by the air conditioner? When should dogs join you on a vacation, and when should you leave them with a trusted friend? And is there any way to help dogs overcome the fear of their pyrotechnical archnemesis, fireworks? Find the answers to all of these questions, and more, below.<\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-keep-your-dog-cool-this-summer\"><br>How to keep your dog cool this summer<\/h4><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/how-to-prevent-heat-stroke-in-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>How to Prevent Heatstroke in Dogs<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>Dogs love to play outside, but going too hard when it&rsquo;s hot can lead to this life-threatening medical emergency.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1987\" height=\"1240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Hotdog-panting.jpg\" alt=\"A dog panting.\" class=\"wp-image-3377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Hotdog-panting.jpg 1987w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Hotdog-panting-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Hotdog-panting-1024x639.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Hotdog-panting-768x479.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Hotdog-panting-1536x959.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1987px) 100vw, 1987px\" \/><\/figure><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/do-dogs-sweat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Do Dogs Sweat?<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>One reason it&rsquo;s so important to keep dogs cool in the summer is that they can&rsquo;t deal with sweltering conditions the same way we do. Technically, they can sweat, but they rely more on other methods&mdash;like panting&mdash;to remove heat from their bodies.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/how-to-keep-your-dog-hydrated\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>How to Keep Your Dog Hydrated<br><\/strong><\/a>Adequate water intake is crucial to dogs&rsquo; health, especially when it&rsquo;s hot out.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/pavement-too-hot-for-dogs-paws-sidewalk-street\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Simplest Way to Tell if the Pavement Is Too Hot for Your Dog&rsquo;s Paws<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>If it&rsquo;s too hot for your hand, it&rsquo;s too hot for their paws.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/why-you-should-never-leave-your-dog-alone-in-a-car\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Why You Should Never Leave Your Dog Alone in a Car<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>Even if it&rsquo;s not hot out, and even if you crack the window, leaving your dog in a parked car is extremely dangerous.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/why-you-shouldnt-shave-your-double-coated-dog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Why You Shouldn&rsquo;t Shave Your Double-Coated Dog<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>A double coat is designed to keep a dog warm in the winter&mdash;and cool in the summer.<\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-have-fun-with-your-dog-this-summer\">How to have fun with your dog this summer<\/h4><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/dogs-on-a-plane-or-other-form-of-transit-how-to-travel-with-your-dog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Should You Bring Your Dog on Your Summer Vacation?<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>Travel safely with your pal this season&mdash;or make sure they stay happy if you leave them behind for a bit. You may also want to dig into our article specifically about<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/how-to-road-trip-with-your-dog\/\"> <span >taking a road trip with your dog<\/span><\/a>.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/how-to-travel-with-the-farmers-dog-food\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>How to Travel With The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog Fresh Food<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>Going out of town doesn&rsquo;t have to mean a vacation from fresh food; here&rsquo;s how your dog can keep eating healthy on the road.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/dogs-and-swimming\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Should Dogs Swim?<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>We&rsquo;ll help you decide whether getting in the pool is right for your dog, and offer some tips on teaching them to doggy paddle.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Chip_Betty-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"A dog in a life jacket standing on a dock near a lake.\" class=\"wp-image-9256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Chip_Betty-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Chip_Betty-scaled-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Chip_Betty-scaled-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Chip_Betty-scaled-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Chip_Betty-scaled-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Chip_Betty-scaled-1-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Chip_Betty-scaled-1-2048x2048.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/the-ultimate-checklist-for-your-dogs-next-beach-day\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Ultimate Checklist for Your Dog&rsquo;s Next Beach Day<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>Minimize hazards! Maximize fun!<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/dining-out-with-your-dog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Dining Out With Your Dog<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>A lot of restaurants will let you eat outside with your dogs when it&rsquo;s nice out. Here&rsquo;s how to make sure it&rsquo;s a five-star experience for all involved.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/how-to-camp-with-your-dog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>How to Camp With Your Dog<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>Whether you want to glamp in style or bushwhack through backcountry, here is everything you need to know about how to camp happily with your dog.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/hiking-with-your-dog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>How to Hike With Your Dog<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>Exploring the outdoors with your dog is a great way to exercise and introduce novelty and adventure into your routine.<\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-help-your-dog-avoid-common-hazards-this-summer\">How to help your dog avoid common hazards this summer<\/h4><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/fido-fear-fireworks-helping-canines-cope-with-kabooms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Fireworks Safety for Dogs<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>July 4 is around the corner, and it can be a dangerous time for dogs&mdash;but you can make the holiday safer and happier for your own pet by following the steps in our guide.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/how-to-remove-ticks-from-your-dog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>How to Remove Ticks From Your Dog<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>One of the few drawbacks of spending time outside with your dog is the risk of tick bites. Here&rsquo;s how to avoid ticks, spot them, and remove them.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/theres-a-new-tick-borne-bacterium-infecting-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>There&rsquo;s a New Tick-Borne Bacterium Infecting Dogs<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>Dogs infected with <em>Rickettsia finnyi<\/em> show signs similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Here&rsquo;s what to know.<\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"more-fun-reading-about-dogs-and-summer\">More fun reading about dogs and summer<\/h4><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/this-is-where-the-phrase-dog-days-of-summer-came-from\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>This Is Where the Phrase &ldquo;Dog Days of Summer&rdquo; Came From<\/strong><\/a><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p><p>Where man&rsquo;s best friend meets etymology.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/a-dog-who-plays-baseball-big-pupi-swings-for-the-fences\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>This Dog Can Play Baseball<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>Baseball is a big part of summer, and Pepper&mdash;also known as &ldquo;Big Pupi&rdquo;&mdash;is a star.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here\u2019s how to keep your dog safe, cool, and happy this season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":11451,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[416],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-wellness"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11447","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11447"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11447\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46454,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11447\/revisions\/46454"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}