The summer heat can bring with it a completely new set of hazards for your furry friend. Heat related conditions are very real and common in canines. Injuries, sickness and death due to intense heat are virtually always preventable. Below are some tips to keep your dog cool and out of harm's way in the dog days of summer.
Do
Do walk your dog in the evening, or early morning when it isn't too hot and your pet won't suffer with heat related conditions. Your dog will simply get dehydrated in the heat and the pavement can get painfully hot on their paws. If you haven't got any option other than to take your dog out in the heat, don't stay out for long and take frequent stops for water. Stay in the shade as much as feasible and pay close attention to your dog for evidence of suffering.
Do maintain proper grooming. Your pet will be much more at ease and less subject to heat related sickness if they've a nice cool haircut. If you happen to have a long-haired dog, a long, ungroomed coat can feel like wearing a parka in the middle of the summer. On the flip-side, be cautious not to trim the fur too short or your dog can get sunburnt.
Do be on the lookout for insects, especially the ones that bite and sting. Many dogs will chase bees and wasps and end up on the wrong end of a stinger. Keep an emergency first aid kit available and supervise as much as possible when outdoors. Fleas and ticks are especially present during the summer months so it is important to keep up with heartworm shots and flea and tick prevention.
Do Not
Don't leave your dog alone in the car. This is a gigantic no-no and yet every year you hear about more cases of dogs suffering and dying due to this sort of negligence. It is a widely known fact it takes only minutes for your parked car to turn into an oven. Even with the windows cracked it can be particularly hot and even lethal for your pet. It is smart to leave your dog at home in the air conditioning. If you have to go out without your pet leave them in a cool part of the house. You can use custom, freestanding and/or extra wide pet safety gates to create a penned area or block a wide opening in your house to keep your dog cool.
Don't let your dog ride in the back of a pick-up truck. This is risky for your pet at any time. A single bump or jolt can send your dog flying, causing injury or death. In the heat of the summer, the sun beating down on your dog, exposed in the back can be deadly. It is never worth the risk.
Do
Do walk your dog in the evening, or early morning when it isn't too hot and your pet won't suffer with heat related conditions. Your dog will simply get dehydrated in the heat and the pavement can get painfully hot on their paws. If you haven't got any option other than to take your dog out in the heat, don't stay out for long and take frequent stops for water. Stay in the shade as much as feasible and pay close attention to your dog for evidence of suffering.
Do maintain proper grooming. Your pet will be much more at ease and less subject to heat related sickness if they've a nice cool haircut. If you happen to have a long-haired dog, a long, ungroomed coat can feel like wearing a parka in the middle of the summer. On the flip-side, be cautious not to trim the fur too short or your dog can get sunburnt.
Do be on the lookout for insects, especially the ones that bite and sting. Many dogs will chase bees and wasps and end up on the wrong end of a stinger. Keep an emergency first aid kit available and supervise as much as possible when outdoors. Fleas and ticks are especially present during the summer months so it is important to keep up with heartworm shots and flea and tick prevention.
Do Not
Don't leave your dog alone in the car. This is a gigantic no-no and yet every year you hear about more cases of dogs suffering and dying due to this sort of negligence. It is a widely known fact it takes only minutes for your parked car to turn into an oven. Even with the windows cracked it can be particularly hot and even lethal for your pet. It is smart to leave your dog at home in the air conditioning. If you have to go out without your pet leave them in a cool part of the house. You can use custom, freestanding and/or extra wide pet safety gates to create a penned area or block a wide opening in your house to keep your dog cool.
Don't let your dog ride in the back of a pick-up truck. This is risky for your pet at any time. A single bump or jolt can send your dog flying, causing injury or death. In the heat of the summer, the sun beating down on your dog, exposed in the back can be deadly. It is never worth the risk.
About the Author:
Pamela Noble writes articles on pet care for BabyAndPetGates.com. You can find more information on pet safety products on the Baby and Pet Gates website.
No comments:
Post a Comment