With summer just around the corner, dog owners are anxious to get their pets—and themselves—off the sofa and out into the glorious land of blue skies, fresh air and endless sunshine. As tempting as it may be to want to take Fido with you everywhere you go, remember that the sweltering heat can take its toll on your dog. Here are a few important things to remember as you and your dog prepare for fun in the sun this summer:
#1. Dogs suffer from heat stroke
Like humans, dogs can quickly come down with a bad case of heat stroke. However, unlike people, our canine counterparts have very limited ability to cool off by sweating. Dogs have sweat glands on their foot pads only. Their main mechanism for cooling down is panting and it can be insufficient to lower body temperature on a very hot day.
#2. Keep your pet hydrated
Whether your dog is playing in the back yard or you’re exercising with your dog in the park, make sure you always have an ample supply of water on hand. At home, make sure his or her water bowl is in the shade so the water stays as cool as possible and so your pet doesn’t run the risk of burning its tongue on an over-heated bowl. An easy way to do this is to use half ice and half cold water. If you’re out and about with your pet carry an extra bottle of water with you and bring along a small container from which they can drink.
#3. Walk your dog during cooler hours
In the hot summer months, consider walking your dog either in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is least harsh. Additionally, be sure to walk your dog on grass or dirt to avoid burning their paws on the hot pavement and provide access to shade at all times.
#4. Protect your dog from ticks, fleas and other pests
As summer nears, it’s important to provide your pet with proper treatment for the prevention of heartworms, ticks, and fleas. Depending upon the climate in which you live there are varying guidelines, check with your pet’s vet to ensure you’re doing everything possible to protect your pet. Make sure your vet knows all of the products you are using as well as all the medication your pet is on to prevent any drug interactions. If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors, also look into purchasing a pet-safe bug repellent to prevent annoying insect bites.
#5. Avoid crowded summer events
While it might seem like a good idea to bring your pooch along to the local festival or parade, your dog is almost always better off at home. The heat, noise, crowds and general excitement can be physically and emotionally taxing for your pet causing a great deal of anxiety and stress.
#6. Do your homework before shaving your dog
In the heat of the summer, many pet owners believe it’s best to shave their dogs – and in some cases it is. In others, it’s not such a good idea. If your dog is a swimmer, gets easily matted, tends to shed a lot or spends a lot of time outdoors, you might want to consider a summer shave. Reasons not to shave your dog include that their fur provides protection from the sun, biting flies, and mosquitoes. Believe it or not, many dogs feel “naked” and vulnerable without their coats. Always check with your vet before shaving your dog in the summer.
#7. Dogs need protection from the sun
As in people, overexposure to UV rays can give your dog a nasty case of sunburn, peeling skin, painful inflammation and also increase the risk of skin cancer. Because dogs have fur, people often assume they are not in danger of getting sunburned. This isn’t true. While fur does provide some level of sun protection, the bridge of the nose, ear tips, skins around the lips and other areas lacking pigmentation are highly susceptible to sun damage. There are specially formulated sunscreens available for dogs but check with your vet to find the best solution for your pet.
