Tips for Keeping Dog Safe From The Summer Heat

The heat is coming and for some areas, it is coming with a vengeance. Taking care of your pet in the Summer months is a top priority for the pet parent. You may think that just a few minutes in the car can not hurt your dog, but that is not the case. Dogs can succumb to heat very quickly. Here are 15 tips for keeping your dog safe from the Summer heat:

• Do not take your dog to run errands.  If you must run errands, but for some reason can not leave your dog at home, ask a friend to dog-sit.  Take the opportunity as a grooming day and take your dog to the groomer.
• If you are picking your dog up from the groomer or on your way home from the vet, do not make any stops.  Not even, “for just a minute.”  Make sure you take a bottle of water and a portable dog bowl in the car with you for vet or grooming visits. If you get stuck in traffic, you will need emergency water.
• Keep your dog restrained or in a transport carrier in the car.  Sun glare and tempers and an excited dog are all recipes for road disasters.
• Use your air conditioner when travelling with a dog.  Open windows are dangerous and no matter how well behaved your dog may be, an open window is a temptation.
• If you are going to be gone all day, make sure your dog has a few bowls of water.  Water evaporates in the heat, even in the house.
• If you do not want to leave the air conditioner on all day, make sure the dog has shady and cool spots to get away from the indoor heat.
• DO NOT leave your dog outside in the heat without sufficient shelter.  Use a dog house with air conditioning,  If you can not afford one, find an inside alternative for your dog.  A garage with a stand-alone or small wall air conditioning unit is an option.
• If your dog can not be inside, along with the air conditioned shelter, put out multiple water bowls each morning.
• Groom your dog adequately during the Summer.  Go to a professional with skill in breed identification and grooming.
• Make sure your dog has some flea and tick protection.  If you are opposed to traditional veterinary options, then do your research and find safe natural alternatives to keep them away.
• Keep your grass as short as possible and reduce plant debris. Ticks love tall grass.
• Watch for hot spots on your dog.  Hot spots are itchy areas that can become very irritated and your dog can and will scratch until they bleed.
  Once they become open wounds, and dirty paws are doing the scratching, a hot spot can become infected.
• DO NOT push your dog during a walk or at the dog park. Dogs do not have as much energy when it is hot outside.  Follow his or her pace.
• DO NOT keep dogs on hot concrete without the option to get on some grass or a shaded area for relief.  Paws are just like feet;  the skin is tougher, but they are not impervious to burns from extremely hot pavement.
• Take your dog to dog approved parks, beaches, and campgrounds.  If you drive a distance to get someplace and find out your dog is not welcome, you risk making trouble, upsetting other guests, and having to put your dog back in the car for a longer drive without being able to relieve himself or herself, and without time to stretch his or her legs.

Remember, during the Summer, 5 degrees higher can feel like 15 degrees higher.  Just a slight increase in temperature can make conditions extreme.

Make a list and visit the pet store before while Summer is still in its early stages.  You do not have to spend a lot of money to make it all happen.  Get your bowls from the local dollar or discount store.  Buy small bottles of water so your are not wasting any.  Check the sale papers for stand or wall air conditioners. Use caution when taking care of your pet baby and do not assume that you can out-wit Mother Nature!