Tampa Bay’s summers mean taking your dog for a swim at Davis Island Dog Beach, going out for a meal at one of Tampa’s dog-friendly restaurants, such as Pup’s Pub or Salt Shack on the Bay, or taking a sunset walk down Al Lopez Trail. Tampa Bay has many fun activities, but when is the humidity and weather too hot for you and your pup? We’ve written a guide to help you with heat safety for dogs so you can enjoy the best of Tampa Bay and live it up this summer!
Sunscreen recommendations
Dogs can get sunburned just like we do. Dogs with light and thin coats, hairless breeds such as the Xoloitzcuintli, and dogs with light-pigmented skin around their eyelids and noses are at greater risk of sunburn. They also do not regulate their body temperature like humans but reduce it by panting and expelling heat from their paws.
Many companies make dog sunscreen, and we recommend purchasing sunscreen specifically formulated for dogs that is para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and Zinc Oxide free. PABA and Zinc Oxide are found in human sunscreen but is toxic to dogs. The sunscreen should also be waterproof, have an SBF rating of 30+, and unscented. Dog-safe sunscreens include Bohdi Dog Sunscreen and K-9 Care Sunscreen on Amazon and Emmy’s Best Pet Sunscreen on Chewy and Amazon.
How to protect your dog from overheating
It gets hot in Tampa Bay, with summer temperatures often in the 90s and humidity averaging 74% throughout the year. We recommend limiting exercising your dog to the early mornings and late evenings. When you are out, we recommend feeling the sand, pavement, and rocky areas with your hand. If it’s too hot to touch for you, it will be too hot for your dog’s paws. You can apply Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax to help protect your dog from hot surfaces.
We recommend bringing portable water bowls when out with your dog, as not all Tampa’s parks have dog drinking stations. If you notice your dog excessively panting, has glazed eyes, or has a rapid heartbeat, your dog may be overheating. If you have air conditioning, bring them inside and apply cold towels and ice packs on their neck and chest. Run some cool water on their bodies and give them ice cubes and small drinks of water. If your dog is weak or lethargic and/or has a body temperature higher than 104 f, we recommend contacting your vet. We suggest you discuss heat safety for dogs with your vet if you have any questions about your dog’s health.
We’re here to help
If your dog enjoys going to dog parks, swimming at the beach, and going on walks, we have created a guide on Tampa’s Dog Parks. If you have any training questions, you can schedule a free consultation with our Pet Behavior Team. We personalize our training programs to meet your specific goals and conduct them through private sessions at your home and neighborhood. If you’re located outside the Tampa Bay area or prefer virtual training, our Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Ectherling-Savage, offers virtual consultations to help you reach your training goals by designing a customized training plan with detailed, step-by-step guidance.
