Keep Your Dog Cool This Summer

As the dog days of summer approach, our trusted companions also need special attention to keep them safe and healthy. Here are some tips for beating the summer heat! Go easy on very hot days
This applies to all dogs but especially older dogs, dogs with long or thick fur and all dogs with snub noses such as pugs, bulldogs and Boston terriers. If the temperature is over 85 degrees, humid, or both, then think about walking at a slower speed and covering half the distance you normally would. Never run with dogs in extreme heat and watch for signs of overheating such as excessive panting, drooling and visible weakness. Exercise your dog early in the morning or late at night
Since these are the cooler parts of the day, this will make the walk more comfortable for both you and your dog. I’m a believer in vigorous exercise for healthy dogs, but this is the time of year to back off on exercise intensity. Avoid hot asphalt and metalHot days can be tough on dogs, especially on their feet. The concrete/asphalt heats up and in some cases can even burn their paw pads. The same goes for any metal on the sidewalk or road, including manhole covers, grates and metal plates. Consider using a covering like Musher’s Wax to protect paws from hot surfaces. Stay in the shadeAlways stick to the shaded side of the street whenever you can, even if it means changing your usual route. The heat rising off the pavement can be hard to deal with, especially if you own a breed that is low to the ground. Watch for signs of dehydration
Different dogs have different needs when battling the heat. Keep in mind that darker coats absorb more heat than lighter coats. Also, overweight dogs are at higher risk for dehydration. Dogs can’t sweat. They cool off by panting, so an overheated dog will drool excessively. It will become lethargic, its eyes will be bloodshot, and it may appear a little pale. If you lift its skin, it will take longer than usual for the skin to fall back into place. Keep your dog hydrated!
Always carry water with you to cool your dog, or ask someone who’s hosing the sidewalk to give them a quick shower! If you’re going to be walking for more than 15 minutes then think about dehydration and carry cold water with you, ideally in a stainless steel water bottle. Most pet stores stock collapsible water bowls which fit easily into bags or large pockets, although dogs will quite happily drink out of your hand when they’re thirsty. Clip coats for the summerDogs with long or thick fur benefit from a shorter, cooler summer haircut. It is a commonly held urban myth that long hair “protects dogs from heat” – absolutely false! Long haired dogs should be clipped down to about an inch for hot weather, but never so short that skin is visible since a dog’s skin is very susceptible to sunburn. NEVER leave your dog in a parked car
On a 75-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can climb up to 115 degrees within an hour – even with the windows partially open. Your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke or suffocation.  

Lisa A.

If you’re looking for someone who’ll go bananas every time they see your dog or cat, knows them so well they notice one hair out of place, speaks their language, knows their favorite treat AND movie and most of all become their second favorite human in the whole world, then you’ve found the right person! Lisa resides in Westerleigh and is a Dogtec Certified Dog Walker, NYC Certified in Animal Care and Handling, FEMA Animals in Disasters Certified, a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and Feral Colony Care Specialist and Red Cross Pet First Aid Certified.