Keeping Your Sighthound Cool This Summer

Pointy Faces
Jun 17
2 min read

Updated: Jun 20

We often think of sighthounds as needing extra care in the cold due to their thin coats

and low body fat. But did you know those same traits also make them more vulnerable in hot weather? Sighthounds can struggle to regulate their temperature and are more susceptible to heatstroke.

That doesn’t mean you have to shy away from fun in the sun with your pointy-faced friends - it is our favourite season after all! With a little preparation, some breed-specific knowledge, and a bit of common sense, your hound can enjoy a happy and healthy summer.

Here are our top tips to keep your sighthound protected and comfortable during the

warmer months:

1. Time your walks

Always test the pavement before heading out. If it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too

hot for paws! Stick to early morning or late evening walks when it’s cooler. If your hound seems hot, bothered, or reluctant to walk, skip it. Try enrichment activities instead, scatter feeding in a shaded patch of lawn is one of our favourites.

2. Shade and Ventilation

During the hottest part of the day, make sure your hound has access to cool, shaded, and well-ventilated areas. If your pup is a sun-seeker (like mine!), you might need to keep them indoors to stop them basking for too long. Set up their bed away from direct sunlight, ideally near an open window or a fan for a gentle breeze.

3. Water, Water, Water

Plenty of fresh, cool water is essential. Wash your dog’s water bowl regularly during the summer months as they are likely to drink more from a clean bowl with fresh water.

If your hound enjoys water, consider a paddling pool! Treat bobbing is a great way to encourage them to dip their paws and provides enrichment on days where walks

need to be skipped.

Need to cool them quickly? A calm hose-down can help. Be sure to avoid the head and ears. Let the water run gently over their back and give plenty of praise to keep it a positive experience.

4. UV Protection

With their already thin coats becoming even thinner in summer, some sighthounds

need extra UV protection. We recommend Hound-Tees made to order UV-resistant

Sun Suits designed especially for Italian Greyhounds, Whippets, Lurchers and

Greyhounds. For our UK customers, we can order these in on request, please

For exposed areas like ears, snouts, tummies, and those famously bald bottoms (we

see you, Greyhounds ), a dog specific sunscreen can be applied. We now stock our

favourite natural dog sunscreen, it works wonders on Olive’s pink, bare

belly.

5. A Cooling Treat

We all love a frozen treat on a hot day, so why not share the joy? Our go-to: a

Lickimat covered with natural yogurt or cream cheese, then frozen. It cools them down and keeps them busy! You can also freeze fruits, veggies, cheese cubes, or raw meats, depending on your hound’s taste.