Dog Summer Care Tips

In the scorching heat of summer, we can protect ourselves by using various techniques. But what about our furry friends! It’s hard for them to protect themselves from heat stroke. In summers, we feel quite comfortable in a nice air-conditioned room may it be our office or home and we also wish our pet to be with us. Our dog might be nice and comfortable inside as well, but a lot of dogs don’t want to remain always indoors. To move outside is its genetic nature. Ensuring she doesn’t overheat is important for the active, outdoor canine.

 

1. Your pet can suffer heat stress as some of them can be highly susceptible to heat than others. Pay extra attention in summer to newborn or old dogs, overweight dogs, sick dogs and dogs with thick fur. ( Pet Safety Tips for Summers )
2. Provide ample amount of water to your dog as they dehydrate very quickly in the summer season. Keep on refilling the water dish often throughout the day.
3. Shade is another important thing that helps the dogs in living most of his time outdoors. For this purpose, choose a spot where you can easily find a shade or an area not under the direct sunlight. Before finalizing the spot, be sure that there is a free passage of air through it.
4. Dogs need to cool their body from outside. So you can provide them with molded plastic ponds and sprinkles for cooling effect. Fill the pool up in a shaded area to keep the water from heating. Don’t forget to change the water often as well, because this will help to prevent the development of mosquito larvae in it. If you have got a short dog then choose a plastic pool about eight to twelve inches shorter than the pond for big ones. Sometimes keep watching your dog’s movement in and outside the pond and get him/ her trained properly in case of any difficulty.
5. If you are going outdoors with your dog in summers then be cautious about the temperature inside your vehicle. It must not be hot from inside; otherwise, it may lead to an adverse reaction on pet’s body such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke and even brain damage. Even an air-conditioned car with the motor off isn’t healthy for your pet. To avoid any chance of your pet getting succumbed to heat in the car, be sure to play it safe by leaving your pet cool and refreshed at home while you’re on the road.
6. Indirect heat dogs can get sunburned too, and your pet may require sunscreen on his or her nose and ear tips. Pets with light-colored nose or light-coloured fur on their ears are particularly vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer.
7. Pets and pools may equal disaster. Prevent free access to pools and always supervise a pet in a pool.
8. With people and dogs spending more time outside, dog bites are likely to increase in the summer months. Spaying or neutering your dog reduces the likelihood that he will bite, and also provides for many other health benefits.
9. Do not stop exercising your pets when it is hot. Pets need to be exercised throughout the year, but extra care should be taken with older dogs, short nosed dogs, and those with thick coats. If it is too hot then limit the exercise too early in the morning or in the evening hours. Do remember that asphalt gets heated very easily and can burn your pet’s paws.
10. In the summer time fleas and ticks also increases in number. So use only flea and ticks treatments recommended by your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter flea and tick products can be toxic, even when used according to instructions.