Important Guidelines for Securing Canine Wellbeing during the Summer Season
As the warm weather arrives, it's essential to be mindful of the unique challenges that summer poses for our canine companions. Here are some key safety tips to help ensure your dog stays happy, healthy, and thriving throughout the season.
Firstly, it's crucial to check your dog thoroughly after hikes or walks in wooded or grassy areas. Pay close attention to areas such as around and in the ears, under the collar, between the toes, and under the tail. Foxtails, barbed grass seed heads, can embed in a dog’s skin, causing infections and painful injuries. Symptoms may include head shaking, paw licking, sudden sneezing, or swelling in affected areas.
Brachycephalic breeds, like bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, and shih tzus, have shorter nasal passages and are at higher risk for overheating. For high-risk dogs or longer outings, consider using a pet-safe sunscreen. Outdoor temperatures under 75°F are safe for most dogs, but caution is advised between 75-85°F, especially for dogs with thick coats or short snouts.
Summer is prime time for external and internal parasites that can seriously impact a dog's health. To protect your pup, keep them on year-round parasite prevention as recommended by your veterinarian.
Heatstroke is another significant risk to a dog's health during summer. Dogs don't sweat well and primarily cool off by panting. Overheating can cause serious symptoms like heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures, or collapse. Prevention includes avoiding walks during peak heat (10 a.m.–4 p.m.), never leaving dogs in parked cars, providing unlimited fresh water, and ensuring shade is available.
Breeds with thick coats, like huskies, Bernese mountain dogs, and chow chows, can retain heat due to their dense fur. Puppies have more sensitive paw pads and dehydrate quickly, making supervised, short bursts of playtime in shaded areas the safest choice.
To protect your pup from sunburn, limit sun exposure during peak hours and provide ample shade when outdoors. Dogs can get sunburned, especially those with short, light-colored fur, pink skin, or areas of thin hair coverage.
Hydration is critical for dogs during hot weather. Always offer fresh, cool water throughout the day, use multiple water bowls, and bring water on walks. Some dogs may be reluctant to drink more during hot weather: to encourage hydration, try adding water to their food or offering ice cubes as a treat.
A reliable test to determine if it's too hot for a walk is the pavement test: if the pavement is too hot for a hand after 7 seconds, it's too hot for a dog's paws. When temperatures exceed 85°F, outdoor activity should be limited to short potty breaks, and once it hits 90°F or higher, it's safest to keep exercise indoors entirely. Time of day matters: walks should be in the early morning or late evening when surfaces have cooled.
In addition, be aware of potential hazards such as toxic plants and stagnant water, insect stings, and ear infections due to trapped moisture from swimming or baths. Always supervise outdoor time and restrict access to unsafe areas.
By following these simple steps, you can help ensure your dog stays safe, comfortable, and healthy during the summer months. Always remember, prevention is key: be proactive, not reactive, and plan ahead to prevent emergencies. Enjoy the season with your furry friend by your side!
In line with promoting a healthy lifestyle, it's beneficial to apply scientific innovation to our pet care routines. For instance, using pet-safe sunscreen based on health-and-wellness research can protect brachycephalic breeds from overheating during summer. Additionally, fostering a fitness-and-exercise regimen for dogs involves being knowledgeable about their unique needs, such as managing exercise during hot weather to maintain their health and well-being.
