Help your pooch make the most out of summer
Dog Checkups & Preventive Care
Our pets love summer just as much as we do! For many, it’s the best time of year to be out, about, and enjoying all that the season has to offer.
While there is certainly nothing wrong with taking your pet out for picnics,
hikes,
swimming,
or running, keep in mind that warm weather can be dangerous. It’s hard for pets
to keep cool when the sun is beating down, and animals don’t sweat like people
do. Dogs
do sweat, but not very much, and it does little to cool them off. As
you probably know, dogs more commonly cool themselves down through panting.
When there is only hot air for a dog to breathe, it’s a lot harder for that dog
to keep cool. Read on to learn some important summer safety tips for dogs.:
1. Never, ever, EVER leave your dog in a hot car
Okay, you’ve probably heard this one before, but it’s so important that we
still decided to list it first. It can take minutes – yes,
MINUTES – for a pet to
develop heat stroke and suffocate in a car. Most people don’t realize how hot
it gets in parked cars. On a 78 degree day, for instance, temperatures in a car
can reach 90 degrees in the shade and top 160 degrees if parked directly in the
sun! Your best bet is to leave your dog home on warm days. If you’re driving
around with your dog in the car, bring water and a water dish and take your dog
with you when you leave the car.
2. Make sure your dog is protected from parasites
like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes
If not protected, your dog is at risk for heartworm, Lyme disease, Rocky
Mountain spotted fever, and a host of other nasty and dangerous conditions. And
don’t forget, many of these diseases can be caught
by people too!
3. Keep your dog’s paws cool
When the sun is cooking, surfaces like asphalt or metal can get really hot! Try
to keep your pet off of hot asphalt; not only can it burn paws, but it can also
increase body temperature and lead to overheating. It’s also not a good idea to
drive around with your dog in the bed of a truck – the hot metal can burn paws
quickly (and they can fall out to be injured
or killed in an accident).
4. Your dog should always have access to fresh
drinking water and shade
Our dogs get much
thirstier than we do when they get hot, and other than panting and drinking,
they really have no way to cool themselves down. Keep your pet in the shade as
often as possible. While dogs and cats like to sunbathe, direct sunlight can
overheat them (especially dogs) and cause heat
stroke.
Find out how much you know about heat stroke with this quick quiz
5. Give your dog his very own “kiddy pool”
Dogs who love the water, naturally love it even more during the hot months, and
getting wet keeps them cool. Providing a small, kid-sized pool will go over
big.
6. Don’t assume your dog can swim well
Just because dogs instinctively know how to swim, doesn’t mean they’re good
swimmers. And if your dog jumps in your swimming pool, he might not be able to
get out without help and could easily drown. Make sure your dog can’t get into
your swimming pool without you around.
Read
more about water safety here
7. Dogs get sunburns too!
Believe it or not, dogs can sunburn, especially those with short or
light-colored coats. And just like with people, sunburns can be painful for a
dog and overexposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer. Talk to your veterinarian about
sunscreens for your dog (don’t assume a sunscreen for people is appropriate for
your dog).
8. If there’s no fence, keep your dog on a leash
Summertime means all sorts of exciting sights, scents, critters running around,
and new and exciting places to explore. You never want to lose your dog because
he became distracted in an unfamiliar environment. And remember, not every dog
is meant to be off-leash;
some dogs just can never be fully trusted to come when called. Make sure you
understand your dog’s tendencies and err on the side of being overly-cautious.
9. Watch your dog’s weight
After a long winter, many dogs put on a few extra pounds. Summer is the perfect
time to increase his level of exercise and get in
tip-top shape. A pet that maintains a healthy weight throughout his lifetime
will live, on average, 2-3 years longer than an overweight pet! Just
make sure not to over-exert your dog. Talk to your veterinarian, give him
adequate rest and if your dog is especially overweight, make sure you ease him
into physical activity.
Check out “5 Must Ask Questions about Pet Obesity”
10. Keep your windows screened!
You may want your house to be ventilated, but you definitely do not want your
dog jumping out!
Perhaps the most important tip is to pay attention to your dog – you’ll know when he seems uncomfortable. Summer can be a great time to spend with your dog, but it’s important to keep these tips in mind! Be sure to check out our tips for firework safety too.
And as always, make sure you talk with your veterinarian about any questions or concerns you have about your pets in warm summer weather.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Peter Kintzer, DVM, DACVIM
Reviewed on:
Tuesday, May 17, 2016