The Dog Days of Summer: How to Keep Your Pup Safe During the Summer
It’s time for that summer time living, where the days are long and more time is spent exploring the outdoors! Finding new adventures and activities is always a good time with your pup, but the rising temperatures can be a problem for your furry companion if you do too much. As we enter the ‘dog days of summer,’ keep these 10 tips in mind to keep your pup cool and safe during summertime!
1. Find Some Shade: Pet owners should be fully aware that their dogs don’t sweat the way humans do, which makes them more susceptible to heat stroke on long, hot summer days. Make sure you provide your pup with plenty of clean, fresh water whenever you are outside and give your dog a shady spot to hang out in if you stay outside for a while. If the temperature and humidity are way up, think about keeping Fido inside with the air conditioning to keep them cool. Watch out for dog houses during the summer months! They are not a good shelter for dogs during the summer because they actually trap heat and do not keep your dog cool. Going Mutts Pet Services is here for you on those long summer days when you can’t get out of the office. We make it our mission to let your pup have a good time outside while keeping their health and safety in mind with walks in the shade and always carrying water.
2. Water Fun!
You can have some fun with your pup on particularly hot days by getting them into water play. Fill a plastic kiddie pool with water to help your dog cool down, or get a sprinkler and let Fido run crazy through it! Creeks, lakes and pools are also fun ways to help keep your pup cool during summer, but heed these water safety rules for your pup and big bodies of water.
3. The Car: Never leave your dog in a closed vehicle on a hot day! The inside of a car can reach 100 degrees in just 20 minutes. Think about leaving your pooch at home when you need to run errands in the summer so they can enjoy the air conditioning and not be trapped in a hot car. If you are traveling during the summer, keep these tips in mind to help keep Fido cool in the car:
Wrap ice packs in a towel and place it in your pups crate
Use a cooling pad as their bed or crate liner
Put a sunshade on your car window to block the directness of the sun
If you need to stop, bring along fresh water, a bowl and a tent or tarp to set up as a shady spot
4. Exercise Limitations: Letting your pup exert energy can be a little tricky in the summer when the temperature rises. Avoid exercising your dog in the afternoon on extremely hot days; the sun is always at its strongest point in the afternoon. Try taking your pup for a walk in the early mornings or evenings when the sun (and humidity) is less intense. Always remember to bring water with you when taking a walk as well! If you need some help with those summer walks, you can contact Going Mutts Pet Services to help get your pups out and about in a safe way! We understand summer days can get extremely hot and we take extra precautions to keep your dogs shaded and happy while letting off some steam.
5. HOT! HOT! HOT! Watch out for that pavement you’re walking your pup on - it can get very hot in the summer months. You should avoid exposing your dog to hot asphalt or sand for any prolonged periods because it can burn their paws! A good rule of thumb to go by is if it’s too hot for your feet, then it’s too hot for Fido’s paws.
6. Watch The Grass: Yard work becomes more of a chore during the summer for many people, which leads to an increase in treatments for grass, pests and weeds. Keep your dog off of lawns that have been chemically treated or fertilized for at least 24 hours. Most lawn care companies will put a sign in the yards they have treated to let everyone know there are chemicals on the grass. This will help your pooch avoid any dangerous chemicals that can get onto their paws or coat if they walk through chemically treated lawns. If you plan on doing some gardening, research toxic flowers and plants to keep your pup safe when outside. Check out the top 10 poisonous plants from the Pet Poison Helpline website.
7. Beach Day!
If you plan on taking the whole family, including your furry companion, to the beach for a vacation, make sure you check the local ordinances and beach guidelines before heading out! Some beaches have specific spots for dogs while others have limited hours for dogs being on the beach. Also be sure to check that the hotel, house or condo at the beach is dog friendly before bringing Fido. Check out our Beach Safety Tips for how to keep your furry friend safe while on the beach.
8. Grooming Needs: A lot of pet owners think they must shave their dog’s coat in the summer to help them stay cool - but you should actually trim their fur and not shave it! Although thick coats look hot, their fur acts as a thermal regulator to slow down the process of heat absorption. Shedding in the hot weather is just a way for them to make their coat more suitable for the warm temperatures. Their coats also help protect against sunburn during the summer! Another grooming need in the summer is ear cleaning after being in lakes and oceans. Clean your dog’s ears out after swimming to prevent ear infections that can happen when moisture stays in there too long. Ocean and lake water can give your dog a nasty bacterial infection, which can eat away at your pup’s eardrum.
9. Summer Events: It might be best to leave your dog at home when you are going to a large outdoor gathering. A large crowd can be overwhelming and can increase the chances of dehydration, injuries and exhaustion. There is also a high probability that there will be a lot of unhealthy and toxic foods on the ground or within reaching distance that you do not want your pup to eat. If you plan on being away for just the day, contact Going Mutts Pet Services for your daily check in needs for any type of animal! We can make sure your pet is comfortable and happy while you enjoy your day with friends and family. If you plan on being away for a couple days, we are more than happy to stay overnight in your home with your pet and give them that special one-on-one attention he or she deserves! Contact us for a complimentary Meet ‘n Greet to discuss your pet care needs.
10. Pests, Parasites and Tags OH MY! Spending time outdoors means more exposure to pests and parasites that also enjoy the warmer weather. Make sure your pup is up-to-date with their flea, tick and heartworm prevention. It is also a great time to make sure they are microchipped or have identification on their collar in case they decide to wander too far and become lost. Aside from parasites being a risk, watch out for summertime creatures that can also bring harm to your dog such as skunks, ticks, snakes and bites from bees, wasps, scorpions and spiders. For more information about ticks and Lyme Disease, check out our past post for Lyme Disease Awareness Month!
As the warm weather continues to stick around for the next couple months, don’t forget to contact Going Mutts Pet Services to get your pup outside for a walk while you’re at work. We also offer check-ins for pets other than dogs and cats! Going Mutts knows that all pets are special to their owners and we are committed to making sure your pet, no matter how big or small, is comfortable and happy while you’re away from them. Contact us today to schedule your Meet ‘n Greet!
Sources:
https://www.embracepetinsurance.com/waterbowl/article/swimming-safety-tips-for-dogs
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/summer-safety-tips-for-dogs-2/
