Summer officially kicked off Wednesday with the summer solstice, and
if you're experiencing anything like the weather in the East Coast -
you're already feeling the heat.
With summer in full swing,
dog owners are anxious to get their pets - and themselves - off the
couch and out in the sunshine. But as tempting as it may be to take
Fido with you during your summer jaunts, remember that the sweltering
heat can take its toll on your dog. From
WebVet, here are 10 important things to remember as you and your dog prepare for the summer heat:
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.
More from WebVet: 11 Ways To Protect Your Pet From Heat Stroke
Keep Your Dog 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.
Walk in the 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.
Protect your Dog from fleas, ticks 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.
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.
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.
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.
Not all Dogs are born Swimmers
Swimming with your dog is great exercise and can also provide relief
from summer heat. Despite popular belief, not all dogs were born to
swim. Theoretically all dogs can swim, however, some breeds such as
Bulldogs, Basset hounds and Pugs have more difficulty than others. When
encouraging your dog to swim it's important to know its physical
ability, stamina, body shape, condition and breathing ability. Fit your
dog with a PFD (personal flotation device) if you are not sure about his
swimming ability or if you plan on taking him boating. Life jackets
made for dogs keep their head above water and have a handle on the back
to make it easier to grab them out of the water. The most important
thing is to remember to never force the dog, take is slow, have
reasonable expectations and have fun.
More from WebVet: Teaching your pooch to paddle
Exercise Good Water Safety for your Dog
There are many safety precautions you should take when your dog is
around water. First and foremost, make sure your dog can swim. Other
dangers are less about the dog and more about the place they are
swimming. The key to water safety is to be aware of your surroundings,
make sure your pet is wearing a floatation device, never let your pet
drink the water in which it is swimming, and always hose off your pet
after swimming. If boating with your pet remember the following: dogs
get seasick too so be prepared, make sure your pet has proper
identification or is micro chipped in case it falls overboard and is
picked up by another boater or swims to land, and remember, dogs don't
know how to use the head so have a potty plan in mind.
Never Leave your Dog in the Car
You should
NEVER leave your dog in the car no matter how brief
a time. A car can heat up quickly even when it's relatively mild
outside, even with the windows cracked. On a summer day temperatures
inside a vehicle can climb in minutes and can spike more than 40 degrees
in just an hour. While you think you're making your dog happy by
bringing it along for the ride, you could very well be jeopardizing its
safety. And you know the old adage: Better safe than sorry.
