You Don’t Want your Dogs to Suffer. So Read These Useful Tips on Summer Safety for Dogs
Summer is great! And there are lots of things we can do to stay cool, including changing into cooler clothes.
But our dogs can’t do that. They wear their fur coat in all weathers, summer and winter.
Unfortunately, veterinarians see far too many dogs suffering every summer – and many of them don’t survive.
Here are some great tips to keep your dogs safe this summer.
Summer Safety for Dogs – Shade
Dogs overheat before people do, so even though you may be just a little warm, your dog can be lethally overheated.
If you’re out at work all day, you need to make sure your dog has a nice shady place to relax.- A closed garage will become boiling hot. So will a dog house or kennel located in the sun.
- Position your outdoor dog house so it will be in the shade during the hottest part of the day.
- You could also consider placing a small kiddie pool with a couple of inches of water within your dog’s reach.
- If your dog is left inside, you may need to leave the windows open or run the air conditioning or a fan.
- You may need to find a way to guard against electrical outages while you’re away. Some pets have died when the electricity, and thus air conditioning or fans, unexpectedly went off during the day.
Summer Safety for Dogs – Antifreeze
Did you know that your dog loves the taste of antifreeze? The problem is that it’s poisonous, even in small amounts.
Antifreeze is something to watch out for year ’round. But cars tend to overheat more and leak antifreeze during the summer, so be aware when walking your dog.
Summer Safety for Dogs – Cars
Did you know that about 30 to 40 children die in parked cars each year in the USA alone? Nobody keeps statistics on dog deaths from being left in cars.
Don’t leave your dog in a parked car. On a nice sunny day if temperatures are a comfortable 72 degrees F (22 C), the inside of a parked car can soar to a deadly 110 degrees (47 C) in a short time.
Don’t leave your dog in the car – even if you’re only going into the store for a few minutes. Either take him with you or leave him at home when you go shopping.
If you think it’s OK because you left the window open a crack, it’s not. It doesn’t help significantly.
Summer Safety for Dogs – Swimming
We take it for granted that dogs can swim, but in fact, not all dogs are safe in the water. Some breeds, such as bulldogs, French bulldogs and Pekingese, have the swimming ability of concrete blocks. (Like me).
And even good swimmers can drown in swimming pools if they don’t know where the steps are to climb out.
Make sure your dog can swim before taking him on a boat. And even if your pooch can swim, strong currents can be a killer.
Summer Safety for Dogs – Grass
Dogs love to run and play on grassy areas. But if you are in a public park, make sure you keep your pet in the designated “doggy areas,” because fertilizers may be used in non-dog areas, which are toxic to your dog.
Summer Safety for Dogs – Exercise
Exercise your dog during the cool morning hours and again in the cool of the evening to minimize heat exposure.
When possible, let your dog walk on grass instead of hot concrete or tarmac / asphalt.
Don’t over-exercise your dog during the summer months; keep the walks and outdoor playtime at the same level your dog was accustomed too during the winter months.
Which dogs are at risk?
Not all dogs handle heat in the same way. For example, larger dogs with rounder bodies build up heat faster than other dogs, and overweight and old dogs have an even greater risk, as do dogs with thick fur. Dogs with flat faces also overheat much more easily.
Fur coats can be hot. Thick fur promotes overheating. Consider cutting the fur to about one inch thick to help your dog stay cooler. Brush out as much undercoat as you can, and be sure no solid mats are there to trap heat and moisture.
How to recognise heatstroke
Signs of heatstroke include
- excessive panting
- drooling
- rapid pulse
- fever
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- agitation
If overheating is extreme, the dog may have seizures.
How to treat heatstroke
There are several things you can do, but rapid treatment is essential to save his life.
- Spray the dog with cool water
- Aim a fan at him. Air blowing over your dog’s wet fur will cool him just as a breeze cools you.
- Wet a couple of paper towels with rubbing alcohol and place it on the pads of feet, armpits or groin area.
- Offer him plenty of cool water to drink.
As soon as you have him cooling, take him to the veterinarian, even if he appears to have recovered. Some delayed but deadly effects can still occur even days later.
Never, ever apply ice to an overheated dog! (It will actually make his temperature rise).
A final thought
Spring can be just as hot as summer. Just because it’s spring (or fall / autumn) don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Many people who are aware of summer heat hazards don’t take the same precautions in spring. Don’t be caught off guard!
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It never fails to amaze me how many people will leave their dogs in a car while they go shopping with only a tiny window opening for air. Great tips as usual Clare and I hope many people read and take note.