The Dog Days of Summer: 8 Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe on Runs

It’s hot out there. In fact, some might call this time of year the “dog days” of summer. Which, we think, really means “take special care of your dog during runs in the summer!” So when Fit Bottomed Mamas ran (Get it “ran?” Ha! We’re extra punny today. Again, with punny/funny! We die! We die!) tips on how to run with your dog in the summer heat, we knew we had to share them!

8 Running Tips for You and Your Pup This Summer

1. Begin slow. If your pup has never been out for a run with you, don’t expect him to be up for a marathon. Start with a run/walk until you notice that his endurance is increasing. Just like humans, dogs are susceptible to stress fractures and heat stroke. In fact, dogs’ growth plates are not fully formed until 18 months old, so speak to your vet before running with a dog younger than 18 months.

2. Check the weather. You know how torturous it can be to run on a brutally hot day with high humidity, so don’t subject your dog to that. Dogs can overheat very quickly (they have all that fur!), which causes heat stroke. If you must run that day, go during the early morning hours before the sun becomes scorching hot or leave your four-legged bud at home.

Keep reading here for more tips for running with your dog in the summer heat! —Jenn