10 Dog Summer Safety Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe in Summer 2019
10 Safety Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe & Happy in the Summer Heat
Is your dog ready for the heat? Summer 2019 is almost here and it's supposed to be hotter than ever!
Since you will be taking your dogs outside to enjoy the summer air, you'll want to do everything you can to keep them safe in the heat.
So before you load your dog into the car or put that harness on, take a look at some of the most important summer safety tips for your dog.
1) Don't Forget Your Dog Needs Plenty of Water
Your dog needs more water on a hot summer day than a cold winter day as you already know.
So when you are out on your walks with your pooch make sure you have a source of water handy in case he/she gets overheated and thirsty.
Signs of Dehydration:
When your dog loses too much water he/she also loses important minerals and electrolytes which can be deadly to dogs in extreme cases.
Some easy ways you can check to see if your dog is dehydrated:
Skin elasticity test: Pull the skin on the back of your dog's neck a bit. If the skin goes right back into place that means he/she has enough water.
If the skin takes a few seconds or more to go back into place then your dog is likely dehydrated.
Capillary refill time: Another way to test your dog's dehydration level is to do the capillary refill time test.
Don't worry...it's easy!
To test this, simply push against your dog's gums until they turn white then remove your finger.
If the color quickly returns to the gums that's a good sign. If they stay white for several seconds that could mean he or she is dehydrated.
Just like in humans, dehydration in your dog can be deadly so if you think he or she is dehydrated call your vet immediately.
An easy way to make sure your dog has enough water if you are outdoors with them is to get a portable water dispenser.
2) Keep Your Dog's Vital Organs Cool
An overheated dog can quickly be in danger of heat exhaustion, heat stroke or even sudden death from overexposure to heat.
Some signs of overheating are a lot of panting, followed by noisy and fast breathing could mean your dog is overheated.
Some other signs of deadly overheating include:
- Collapsing or convulsing
- Bright red or blue gums
- Vomiting and diarrhea
If you think your dog is overheated, get him/her wet with some cool water and call your vet immediately!
Another way to keep your dog cool in the summer heat is to try various "cooling" products made just for pets.
You can try a cooling mat for dogs that just like to relax in the back yard or for more active pups there are some great cooling vests that can keep your dog cool and comfortable.
3)Never Leave Your Dog in the Car
Do you think it's safe to leave your dog locked in a car if it's only 70 degrees outside?
It's not!
When it's 70 degrees outside the inside of your car can get as hot as 104 degrees within 30 minutes.
If it's 85 degrees outside it only takes 10 minutes for your car to get up to 104 degrees.
Even if you are only going to "be a minute" it is never safe to leave your dog locked in a hot car.
Even with the window cracked?
Not even with the window cracked!
So if you have to go somewhere that is not dog-friendly it's best to leave them at home so that you don't have to decide whether or not to leave the dog in the car.
4) Make Sure Your Dog Doesn't Get Sunburned
5) Protect Your Dog's Feet From Hot Surfaces
The pads on the bottom of your dogs foot can get burned. When you take your dog for a walk it's best to do it early in the morning or later in the afternoon when the ground isn't so hot.
If you aren't sure if the ground is too hot a good test is to place your own hand on the ground. If you can touch the ground for 30 seconds without feeling any pain then it should be safe to walk your dog.
If it feels too hot then it will be too hot for your dog.
We think that a dog's foot pads can handle almost anything but in reality they can burn just like our feet on the hot ground.
An easy way to protect your best friend's feet from the scorching heat is to get a set of dog boots like these.
These boots are simply made to slip on and keep your dog's feet from getting burned on the blazing hot ground.
6) Keep Your Dog Safe Near a Campfire or BBQ
7) Fireworks Safety for Dogs
Did you know that 1 in 5 pets that go missing run away because they are scared of the sound of fireworks?
If your dog is not used to loud noises, the 4th of July can be a scary time for them. If you plan on taking your dog anywhere near any fireworks this holiday here are some tips you can follow to make sure they are safe.
Give them a quiet place - If you plan on watching the fireworks have a place where your dog can be away from the noise. If you live somewhere that has legal fireworks and the noise is everywhere, try to give them a quiet place in your home where they can get away if they need to. A portable kennel that your dog has been in before will work great.
If you are going to leave your dog at home and there is going to be noise outside, arrange for a friend or family member to stay with them during the fireworks show.
Get them used to the noise - Some dogs do not mind loud noises. Other dogs get very scared at loud noises. If you have a dog that doesn't like loud noises one thing you can do is spend some time getting them used to the sound of fireworks.
One way to do this would be to play sounds of fireworks near your dog. As they get used to the sound you can turn it up louder and louder until they are comfortable with the volume being very loud.
This process might take a few months for dogs that are very scared, so be sure to start practicing this early if you plan on taking your dog to a July 4th display.
8) Hot Weather Bugs & Critters
9) Protect Your Dog From Chlorine and Other Chemicals
If you have a dog that loves to swim then you'll want to make sure to be careful if you are going anywhere near a pool.
The chlorine used to treat pools can upset your dog's stomach if he/she swallows any water and the chemical can also irritate their sensitive skin.
Always have fresh water available for your dog so that if they need a drink they won't be tempted to drink from the pool or other sources where there might be chemicals in the water.
10) Summer Seasonal Allergies
At Doxin Motion we want you to enjoy spending time with your pet while keeping them safe & secure!
REMEMBER: Your Dog Can't Sweat to Cool Off Like You Can!
Taking your dog out for some exercise should be fun for the both of you. When the sun is blazing don't forget that your dog will get much hotter than you will.
Since dogs don't cool off as easy as humans do it's a great idea to always carry some items with you that can help keep him or her cool and comfortable in the summer heat.
Foot protection from the hot ground, water for drinking and wetting down can be a life safer for your dog on a hot day.
These simple things will keep your dog safe and happy this summer when it's hot out.
Also...don't forget to take care of yourself! Make sure you are well hydrated and protected from the sun so that both you and your dog can have a great time outside!