Hike Your Dog Safely in the Summer Heat

Signs of Heatstroke

Heatstroke occurs regularly in dogs. Fatalities are common. Common symptoms include…

• Heavy panting / rapid breathing
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of coordination
• Rapid pulse
• Excessive drooling
• Vomiting / diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

As a rule of thumb, when it’s over 85° it may be best to keep your dog inside.

If your dog develops any of these symptoms it’s crucial to get your bestie cooled down with water and breezes (natural or artificial). Move into the shade, keep ears, paws and head wet. But do not over-cool your dog.

This page has more specific advice on what to do if your dog has heatstroke.

Less Than Heatstroke is Still Very Sucky

Don’t be oblivious. Keep an eye for signs your dog is simply tired or struggling. Some dogs will dig in dirt or wet leaves to try and cool off.

Water Sources May Be Dry

You can’t count on mapped water sources being available. I recently hiked up Wittenberg from Phoenicia and the spring marked on maps was bone dry.

Your dog will need extra water to drink, and lots of extra water to help cool off. Unless you’re absolutely sure safe water will be available on the trail, you’ll need to carry all that extra water.

Tip: as the temperature rises, make sure to keep heads and ears nice and wet.

Water Sources May Be Contaminated

Giardia & Cryptosporidium

Giardia is highly infective. As few as ten Giardia cysts produced infection in a clinical study of male volunteers. The incubation period ranges from 3 to 25 days. The main symptom is chronic diarrhea. Not fun. Read the EPA Giardia Fact Sheet.

Personally, I wouldn’t let my dog drink from a natural water source, not until the water has been filtered or treated. You should treat all water sources in the Catskills and Adirondacks as likely vectors for Giardia and Crypto.

It may be impossible to prevent your dog from lapping water on a long hike, so there is a risk attached to being around any natural water source.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

The DEC has a great page on HABs here and there’s also an interactive map that shows current and archived HABs.

Without specialized knowledge it’s too hard to tell a HAB from a non-harmful algal bloom. Common sense says it’s best to avoid swimming in, or drinking from, any water where you spot a bloom.

Additional Kit to Pack

Best Gear for Your Best Pal

A light, collapsible water bowl is a great addition to your kit.

Rather than using your regular neck collar, think about switching to a harness, especially if your dog has a tendency to pull. You don’t want additional stress on your dog’s neck when he’s already struggling to breathe and sweat through his mouth.

You can also Google “cooling collar for dogs” to get info on this basic soak-and-wrap technique.

If you’re hiking later in the day, think about a set of booties for those four paws. (Try walking outside in bare feet in July or August, you’ll see what I mean.)

For first aid, Vet Wrap is great, but also some basic gauze and bandages. Pack a tick twister, tweezers and some Benadryl.

An excellent new resource for dog moms and dads is Alan Via’s new book Doghiker — a comprehensive guidebook for hiking dog owners that includes 77 great hikes in the Adirondacks and Catskills. If you don’t want to feed the Amazon beast, here’s a link to my bookshop.com list of hiking books which is a great way to support local bookstores.

Alan has his own ideas about warm weather hiking which he shared with me. He writes…

“In springtime, when there is no tree canopy, I look for trails under conifers or that follow streams, or have other bodies of water. I stay away from trails that are out in the open or above tree line when it’s hot, and remind people that dogs have non-removeable fur coats. Carry enough water and train your pooch to drink from a hydration hose. Hikers need to remember that the hydration of their canine companions comes first.”

Finally, think about a soft muzzle. If your dog is protective or nervous and you get injured, you can save others from your best friend’s protective instincts.

Additional Food

You won’t just need extra water. For anything more than a few miles, pack whatever you’d normally feed your dog during the day, plus an additional 25%-30% to account for the extra effort.

Good Advice

Start Small, Build on Basics

If you haven’t hiked much with your pup, make sure to break him in slowly. This helps in terms of fitness, but also in getting his paws used to and ready for the trail.

Don’t jump suddenly from leisurely neighborhood walks to 3-9 hour mountain hikes, especially if your dog has been living la vida lazy or is overweight.

Avoid Overexertion / Monitor Breathing

Trails are exciting places for dogs. I often think hiker dogs have the best doggie lives. However, especially in the heat and humidity, their excitement can lead to overexertion very quickly.

Monitor breathing, take frequent breaks, and watch how quickly your dog bounces back.

If your dog shows any kind of stress, stop and reassess your day.

Hike Early

One way to beat the heat is to start early. Really early. If you can, start before dawn. This has three benefits…

1. After hours of darkness, the ambient temperature is much lower;
2. The soil and rocks have also had a lot of time to cool off, and have not yet been subjected to the sun’s rays;
3. It takes hours for the worst of the day’s heat to build up.

Hike in the Shade

Ask around for intel on shadier hikes. I hiked Cross Mountain recently and it was a well-screened route almost the whole way, with a lot of thick deciduous woodland to shield me from the sun.

Many Catskills hikes are like this, as none of our summits are above the tree line. But some trails have exposed stretches and sun traps where the heat can really build up.

You, Too!

Finally, don’t forget to take care of you! Your dog is at risk if you succumb to a heat-related illness. Make sure you pack enough extra cooling strategies and supplies to get back safely.

One trick I like on extra hot days, or extra long hikes, is packing a small bottle of Gatorade that’s been frozen solid. It thaws out as the hike progresses and means I have something during the hottest part of the hike. And those extra electrolytes are a big help right when I need them.

Further Reading

• Alan Via’s new book Doghiker
• https://www.backpacker.com/skills/the-manual-take-your-dog-hiking
• https://bearfoottheory.com/how-to-keep-dogs-cool-in-summer/
• https://thebark.com/content/dangers-dogs-hiking-heat
• https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/hiking-dogs.html
• https://www.rover.com/blog/dog-heat-stroke/
• https://www.rover.com/blog/how-to-enjoy-hot-weather-hiking-with-dogs/