We are in the depth of summer heat, and it is important to make sure we keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from sun danger of all kinds. This goes for our canine family members as well, and perhaps even more so – as they cannot effectively communicate when they are not feeling well or the heat has gotten too intense.
Although we have covered this topic in past blogs, it is too important to be missed. A fun day in the sun can quickly turn into a bad day for your pooch – so read up on this tips once again, and make sure your canine best friend stays safe.
Tips to Beat the Summer Heat
- Hydration is the key to canine summer safety. Keep a large bowl of water full outside if your dog spends extended time on a porch, patio, or backyard.
- You can freeze a bowl of water or fill a bowl with ice cubes so that they last longer outside with your pup.
- For extra hydration or for dogs who don’t regularly drink from their water bowl, fill their food bowl with ½ to 1 inch of water along with their dry food at mealtimes. This ensures that dogs drink some water along with their meal.
- Play in a kiddie pool or sprinkler. This is a great way to cool down while enjoying the outdoors. Filling a kiddie pool with cool water or having a sprinkler to play in will make it significantly easier for your dog to regulate their temperature while outside. Be sure to have a towel on hand for drying before they come inside!
- Provide areas of shade. If you have a backyard, make sure to provide some shaded areas for your pup to relax in.
- Offer a sandbox. Many dogs love to dig, especially when it is hot–they will dig a hole to reach cooler ground to lay in. Providing a sandbox encourages pups not to dig elsewhere in the yard and is easy to spray with water to cool them even further while they dig.
- Make frozen snacks to have on hand. Frozen snacks like sliced bananas or blueberries make a perfect snack for your dog. “Pupsicles” made of blended ingredients like banana, yogurt, peanut butter, blueberries, pumpkin puree, honey, apple, or watermelon make a healthy yet exciting and sweet summer treat.
- Cars reach life-threatening temperatures inside within minutes, even with the windows cracked and ample shade. Never leave a dog inside a car for any length of time in general, but especially during the summer.
- Dark pavement gets much hotter than the surrounding air. At an air temperature of just 77 degrees, dark pavement can reach 120 degrees. This temperature causes skin destruction in less than a minute. To avoid harming your pup’s paws, stick to light-colored pavement (like sidewalks), grass, or soil whenever you walk them on warm days. You should not walk them between 11am and 4pm if possible, as these are the hottest hours of the day. If you must cross dark asphalt, walk or jog as quickly as possible to keep your dog’s paws from burning.
Know the Signs of Heat Stroke!
Because dogs don’t sweat the way humans do, it is all too easy for them to overheat. If your dog is panting heavily, has dark red, dry or sticky gums, and seems dizzy or is lying down and refusing to rise, get them indoors or to shade immediately. Offer them cool (not cold) water a little bit at a time, and place damp washcloths on their abdomen, head and armpits.
Finally, provide regular indoor time. While these tips will help keep your pup comfortable outside for a period of time, it is important to bring them back indoors regularly. We recommend limiting outside time to 30 minute intervals when the summer heat gets above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, especially with high humidity.
At Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training, we are committed to your dogs overall health and safety. Call us today for any training, obedience, or play care needs.
