6 Summer Dog Tips You Should Know About
Summer can be very fun and memorable to both you and your dog. But as a dog parent, it is important that you also know the dangers that this hot season can bring to your beloved pets and find ways to prevent them. Check out these basic summer safety tips we’ve gathered for you and your furbabies.
1. Apply Sunscreen whenever you go outside
That’s right, you should apply sunscreen on your dog if he or she spends more than just a few minutes outside every day in the hot summer sun. Pets with light skin and short or thin hair coat are particularly prone to sunburn or skin cancer. The sunscreen should be fragrance-free, non-staining, and contain UVA and UVB barriers similar to sunscreens made for humans. Consult your veterinarian, but there are some sunscreens available made specifically for pets. via Summer Safety Tips for Pets | petMD
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2. 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. via Top 10 summer safety tips for dogs
3. Keep your dog’s paws cool to avoid burns
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). via Top 10 summer safety tips for dogs
4. Watch your dog’s weight regularly
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. via Top 10 summer safety tips for dogs
5. Make sure your Garden is safe
Choose pet-friendly plants to make sure your pups are safe. The azalea is a common backyard shrub that can make your dog very ill if ingested, causing drooling, vomiting, heart arrhythmias, and abnormal heart rate. Colorful heliotrope is also highly toxic, causing total liver destruction. Lock up the rose and garden plant foods containing insecticides that are potentially fatal compounds for your dog. Other lawn care products and fertilizers can cause an allergic reaction. Speak with your vet for recommendations about safer products to use. via 10 Summer Safety Tips For Dogs – Dogtime
6. Hydrate all the time
Prevent dehydration by providing your dog with unrestricted access to fresh, cool water inside and outside. Ice cubes and treats like frozen chicken or beef broth encourage your dog to take in more fluids and will help keep him cool. You might also switch to a wet dog food during the hotter months to increase fluid intake. Encourage your pet to drink up often. via 10 Summer Safety Tips For Dogs – Dogtime
These tips are just a few of a lot more ways to keep your dogs safe from the scorching summer sun. Remember that your dogs’ safety will always be a priority no matter what season it is. Asking a professional or a vet is still the best form of prevention especially when in doubt.
Do you know any other tips on how to keep dogs safe during the summer season? Share them with us in the comments!
JJ Keeler lives in Colorado with a house full of pets. She owns three dogs, two cats, and a hamster she bought as a bribe to get her daughter to ride the school bus. She has a BA in English Literature from the University of Colorado and has worked as a professional writer for fifteen years. Her clothes are perpetually covered in pet hair.
