Summer Safety Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe and Healthy

Keeping your dog safe and healthy in the summer is a matter of exercising some precautions, and taking some preventative measures. The following are a few of the things you can do to keep your dog safe and healthy all summer long:

1. Don’t leave your dog in your car. One of the worst things, and most unsafe things you can do for your dog during the summer months is leave them cooped up in a car, even if it is just for a few minutes. The interior of a car can grow hot much too quickly, and can leave a dog dehydrated, and over heated. It can lead to many of the same problems that dehydration and overheating lead to in humans. Even if you crack a window, your dog is not going to be safe in a car, so either leave them home, or take them in with you. 

2. Keep indoors or in shade from 10-4 daily. The summer can be dangerous for dogs because the heat is severe, and many owners put their dogs outside to “enjoy the sunshine”. However, between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, the sun is at its worst, which means that UV rays are more powerful, can do more damage, and your dog has a higher chance of being hurt. If you want to protect your dog from dehydration, heat stroke, and the like, you should keep your dog inside the house during the hottest part of the day. If you can’t have your dog in the house at this time, then make sure they have plenty of shade, and water. 

3. Keep them well hydrated. Hydration is key to protecting your dog from the dangers of the sun. Giving your dog some water is one thing, making sure they have a fresh bowl, that is clean, and refilled several times a day can help guarantee their safety. 

4. Keep your dog out of weeds and dry grass fields. One of the biggest dangers to your dog in the summer is the barbed thorns known as foxtails. Other foreign objects can get stuck in their nose, mouth, ears, even eyes. These are very painful, they can lead to infection, and they can lead to dogs acting out as well. So, check your pets ears, eyes, mouth, etc. as often as you can, and especially if your dog has been running through fields. 

5. Keep their feet off hot pavement. One of the dangers for a dog is having the pads on their feet burned by the heat that is radiating off a sidewalk or asphalt parking lot or road. It can get really hot, and dogs do not wear shoes. While they often can withstand things you can’t, it doesn’t mean that their feet won’t burn if they walk on hot pavement.