Summer has finally arrived, and the sun is turning up the heat! With hotter temperatures, it’s vital for dog owners to take extra measures to ensure their dogs are comfortable. Most dog breeds have coats that are designed to retain heat and don’t have any sweat glands, so they’re susceptible to heatstroke quickly. Here are our favorite tips to keep your canines cool this summer:
1. Kiddie pools! You can place a small plastic pool in your yard, and your pup will have a blast splashing around and drinking from it. It’s the perfect, inexpensive way to ensure your dog doesn’t overheat. We recommend getting a hard plastic pool instead of inflatable, so it won’t pop.
2. If your house isn’t air conditioned, you can get cooling pads to place in a crate or dog bed that will help keep them from overheating.
3. Avoid walking your dog on hot pavement. If you must walk on concrete, utilize dog booties to protect their paws and prevent them from burning on hot surfaces.
4. Limit the amount of time you walk your dog. Check out our infographic with helpful insights on how long certain dogs can be out in hot weather.
5. If the temperature exceeds 70 degrees, don’t leave your pet in the car! Even with the window open, the inside of a car can reach over 120 degrees.
6. If you suspect your dog is suffering from heatstroke, act immediately. Take them to a shaded place, or better yet, out of the heat entirely. You can also rub a small amount of rubbing alcohol on your pup’s paw pads to cool them quickly.
If you notice any serious heatstroke symptoms, such as excessive panting, vomiting, or collapsing, take them to an animal hospital or veterinary clinic immediately.
Now, enjoy the sunny days safely with your pooch!
