Denver Heat Is No Joke. Here’s What Your Dog Needs You to Know.
Most dog owners don’t realize how quickly summer heat in Denver can become dangerous for their dog. This isn’t a scare piece — it’s what you actually need to know, before it’s a problem.
Know your dog’s risk level.
Not every dog handles heat the same way. Flat-faced breeds — Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs — can’t pant efficiently. Double-coated breeds like Huskies and Golden Retrievers trap heat close to the body. Senior dogs and overweight dogs have less tolerance across the board. If your dog falls into any of these categories, your threshold for caution needs to be lower than everyone else’s.
The pavement is the problem.
At 85 degrees, asphalt can hit 135 degrees. Your dog is walking on a frying pan. The test is simple — put the back of your hand on the pavement. Can’t hold it seven seconds? Neither can your dog. Stick to dirt and grass, and walk before 10am or after 7pm
Know what overheating looks like.
Excessive panting, a wide flat tongue, drooling, slowing down or pulling to shade — these are the obvious ones.
But watch the paws. A dog lifting their feet mid-walk isn’t being dramatic. That’s a burn signal, and most owners miss it entirely.
If it’s happening — act fast.
Move to shade immediately. Offer cool water to drink. Then apply cool water — not ice cold — to the belly, pads, and armpits. Never pour it over the top of the dog. The fur traps the heat in. And skip the ice — it constricts blood vessels and actually slows the cooling process. Even after your dog seems better, call your vet. Heat stroke can cause organ damage that doesn’t show up for hours.
Bring your own water.
Skip the community bowls outside shops — they’re a bacteria and parasite risk. Carry a collapsible bowl and fresh water, especially on longer outings.
Never leave your dog in a parked car.
On an 85 degree day, a car with cracked windows hits 102 degrees in ten minutes. There’s no errand worth your dogs health and safety
Protect the pads before there’s a problem.
Pick up Musher’s Secret at Luke and Co Pet Supply Store or your neighborhood Chuck and Dons Pet Store. Condition and protect the pads regularly!