Dog Summer Tips

The flowers are growing, the bees are buzzing, and the pools are warming.  Summer is right around the corner.  It brings excitement and heat and long days.  This is great for the vacationer and the school-aged kids.  This can mean stress for your dog.  We have some tips to cover all your summer pet worries.

1-A dog should not be outside in the heat all day.  If you are a dog outside-only type of family, then equip your dog with an air-conditioned space and an endless supply of water.  It is a terrible way for a dog to live, being on the outside looking in, but this is how some have to live.  If this is the case, do what is right for your dog and keep them safe from the heat.

2-If you have a pool take measures to keep the dog out of the water.  A pool fence or cover is best.  Not all dogs swim comfortably and as it is with humans who aren’t water proficient, panic can set in and your dog may drown.

3-Nocturnal predators get very active during the summer.  Do not leave your dog outside at night, particularly a small dog.  A hungry and thirsty animal is extremely aggressive, even with a large dog.

4-Having written the above, make sure your dog has had his or her Rabies booster.  The risk of being bitten by a wild animal will increase as the temperature rises.

5-When walking your dog exercise extreme caution on the pavement.  The surface of asphalt and concrete gets dangerously hot for a dog’s pads.  Use shoes or stay on the grass.

6-Limit exercise.  Do not force your dog to go on the hike you love so much.

7-Use whichever flea or tick protection method you prefer.  If you don’t like traditional methods, then do your research and use a natural method.  But ticks and fleas can make a dog very uncomfortable at best and very sick at worst.

8-This one is a no-brainer, but people still make this very bad choice – DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE CAR IN THE HOT WEATHER.  PERIOD.  Unless you are the fortunate owner of a Tesla which has a “Dog Mode” protection system allowing for the air to run and keep your dog safe, then read the above line again – DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE CAR IN THE HOT WEATHER.

Take all the summer tips and run with them because they are necessary.  Dogs need protection from the elements as do humans.