Summer is the paw-fect season to spend quality time with your furry-best-friend. But as the temperature rises, there are a few things to keep in mind to help your pup have a fun & safe summer. Here are 5 tips to help keep your pup safe this summer
1. Pet Hydration
July is National Pet Hydration month… and for a good reason. July is one of the hottest summer months, and we’re right in the midst of it. Dogs can’t regulate their body temperature as easily as us, so it’s important we keep our pups hydrated to prevent heat stroke.
Too much heat can be hazardous for a dog’s health. Here are some symptoms of dehydration to look out for in your dog.
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Reduced energy levels
- Lethargy
- Panting
- Dry nose
- Sticky gums
- Excessive saliva
2. Avoid exposure to hot pavement
Dogs’ paws can burn very easily from the hot summer asphalt. Although it’s important to keep your dog active, make sure you’re keeping an eye on the temperature outside before taking your pup on a walk around the block. A good rule of paw is if it’s too hot for you to hold your hand on the pavement for 10 seconds, then it’s too hot for Fido’s paws. Follow our temp chart below:
3. Don’t leave your dog alone in the car
Never leave your pup alone in a hot car. Yup, even a cracked window is not enough to keep your dog cool. Even 5 minutes alone in a hot car can lead to heat stroke.
4. Apply dog sunscreen on your pup
Yup! Dogs can get sunburn too. Especially light-colored pups with short hair. Invest in an all-natural pet-safe sunscreen for your dog. Do not use human sunscreen as it may have chemicals that could be toxic for your pup. Try Bodhi on Amazon.
5. Avoid Oceans, Lakes and Rivers
Although it may seem like a good idea to let your pup cool off in a stream if your pup drinks the water it could cause dehydration and vomiting. If they ingest too much it could even be fatal. We suggest grabbing a small puppy pool to fill with fresh water to help your dog stay cool. Try one from Amazon.