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I have been asked this question a lot lately, by some people on social media and by other people that actually see me and Molly walking. It’s a good question… and yes, it’s been super hot for early June.
Everyone knows that pugs and heat don’t go well together… so what do you do when it’s 90 something and your pug wants to go for a walk.
My son and I have ALWAYS walked Molly… every day since we got her. So, now… she pretty much expects a walk and sometimes, even demands it… LOL!! Usually, she asks really nice and it’s hard to tell her no.
There are several ways you can give your pug a walk… even in this heat and humidity.
The first thing I want to stress though is… Please DON’T walk your pug if he/she has advanced breathing issues or other severe health issues. The best thing to do is to check with your vet first and make sure your pug is in pretty decent health.
1. One way of walking your pug in this heat is to walk early in the morning or late in the evening. Early mornings are actually Molly and I’s favorite time to walk. It’s cool, mosquitos aren’t out (for the most part), and there’s not a lot of people out. It’s a perfect time to walk your pug. Morning temperatures lately have been in the 60’s and 70’s and that’s a great time to be walking.
2. Another thing I do if I can’t walk early in the morning or late in the evening is I find a shaded place to walk. I find a park with a lot of trees or someplace that is well shaded. Your pug might still get hot, but they are not going to get near as hot in the shade as they will in direct sunlight. Try to keep them out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
3. You can keep them cool by wetting them down before/ during their walk. I do this to Molly a lot. She doesn’t necessarily like me pouring water on her, but she likes being cool after I do it. I don’t pour water on her head, but I get her wet everywhere else. You don’t have to drench your pug- just pour a little water on the back of their neck and down their back so it cools them down. When you do this, be prepared: your pug will want to run. They feel good, the water cools them off and they want to run and act crazy. MINIMIZE the running. Don’t let them run a lot. I usually let Molly run just a little, then I make her walk because your pug will get hot quickly if you let them run. Also, remember… don’t walk fast and stop often and let your pug rest.
4. Carry water with you all the time. If you are going to have your pug outside in the summer, please always carry water. You may need to pour the water on your pug to cool him/her down and you need to stop often and let them drink. Drinking water will help keep their body temperature cool.
5. Walk near water. Molly loves water (I know some pugs don’t). If your pug likes water, walk them near water or around a children’s water park, a lake, etc… any place that they can get in the water. After it has rained, I take Molly to the park and let her walk through the puddles- she loves it… and it will keep them cooled off.
6. Get your pug a cooling vest. I have one for Molly and use it often. I submerge the vest in water right before putting it on her and it keeps her cool for at least a half hour, which is more than enough time to walk your pug. There are lots of different types of cooling vests: here are a couple I’ve tried and like:
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7. Use a cooling towel. This works just like a vest except they don’t wear it. You can soak it in water, then just wrap it around your pug if they get hot. It works great!!
8. The main thing I do with Molly is watch her. I watch her breathing. I notice when she is getting too hot. She’ll slow down, she’ll stop a lot and she pants hard when she is getting too hot. IMMEDIATELY stop the walk, get them to a car or shade or somewhere they can cool down. If I am not near my car, I will sit down in the shade and put water on Molly to cool her body temperature down. It works. Watching your pug and the way they act in the heat will prevent them from getting too hot. It’s vital if you are going to have them outside!!
Molly and I hope your pugs get some outdoor time… even in these summer months!!
Until next time,
Hugs and pugs kisses,
Candy (and Molly)
