MoreProtect Your Dog Heat: Hot Tips
While the summer seems like all fun and games, it's important to protect your dog against high temperatures. Here are some tips to keep 'em wagging all summer long!
Protect Your Dog From Dehydration
When it's hot outside, it can feel like you need a drink of water as soon as you step outside. While people can sweat and express themselves when they're feeling dehydrated, it's up to us to pay attention and to protect our dog in the heat. The AKC lists signs of dehydration as loss of skin elasticity, loss of appetite, vomiting with or without diarrhea, reduced energy levels and lethargy, panting, sunken/dry-looking eyes, dry nose, dry/sticky gums, and thick saliva. While that is quite the list, the easiest way to check for dehydration is to check for skin elasticity. If you gently hold together the skin between your companion pet's shoulder blades, raise it, release, and it doesn't spring back, they are most likely dehydrated..
Protect Your Dog From Car Heat
Leaving your companion pet in the car for any amount of time, even with the windows down, is a bad idea. According to The Humane Society, even when it's only 80 degrees outside, the inside of a car can hit 99 degrees within 10 minutes. Too much heat can cause irreparable organ damage and even death. While thinking about how to protect your dog from the heat, look out for other dogs as well. Learning your local laws and important phone numbers empowers you to help a dog locked in a hot car.
Protect Your Dog's Paws
Did you know that if the temperature outside is 77 degrees, that asphalt in the sun is 125 degrees? An egg can fry at 131 degrees, meaning that it's important to protect your dog and their paws. A good rule of thumb is that if you can't hold the back of your hand to the surface for 11 seconds, you'll need to wait or protect your companion pet's paws with booties.
Grooming To Protect Your Dog
It can be a hot topic whether to shave your dog or not to help with summer heat. This article is too short, but it's important to remember that grooming is a need of your companion pet. When temperatures are soaring, it's especially important to stay on top of this need. Be sure to speak with your local groomer about what's best for your pet this summer.
Wash 'em. Feed 'em. Spoil 'em. Love 'em. - Protect 'em.
At the end of the day, the biggest part to protect your dog from the heat is being aware. You can change your walking schedule to be earlier or later to avoid top heat times. If you go during a hotter time, take a break in the shade (maybe even with a frozen The Bear & Rat yogurt treat from your local Wag N' Wash). With all of these tips, you'll be sure to keep 'em wagging all summer long!
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