Summer Safety Tips For Your Dog
It’s been hot. Wicked hot. With the dog days of summer upon us, it’s the perfect time for a refresher on summer safety tips for your dog to keep cool this summer.
take cover in the shade
If you must be outdoors with your dog this summer, make sure your dog has plenty of access to shade. Being in the sun typically feels 10-15 degrees hotter due to the sun’s solar radiation.
If you don’t have plentiful shade in your yard, create it! Provide your dog an elevated cot with canopy or add a sun shade sail canopy to your outdoor space.
A pop up canopy, like you use for tailgating, or a large patio umbrella are also good options for adding shade.
Be wary of dog houses during summer. While a dog house does provide shade, the enclosure prevents airflow, which can lead to your dog overheating.
Stay hydrated
Always have fresh water that’s easily accessible your dog. This may mean adding some additional water bowls, both indoors and in your yard. Or try a Lixit Faucet Waterer or paw activated water fountain. These items attach to your hose bib, acting as a water fountain for your dog.
Even when taking a short outing, bring along plenty of water for your dog. But don’t just bring it with you! Make sure to offer it, and encourage your dog to drink small amounts throughout your outing. Use a collapsible bowl, or portable drinking dispenser.
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Keep it cool
Evaporative cooling can help regulate your dog’s core body temperature. Let’s get sciencey. Heat fuels evaporation. As water turns to vapor, it takes heat energy with it. That heat is coming from the surface from which the water evaporated. Thus when water turns to vapor, the vapor takes heat away, having a cooling effect on the surface left behind.
Take advantage of this science with the RUFFWEAR Swamp Cooler Evaporative Cooling Vest. The fabric reflects solar radiation, while the evaporation pulls heat from your dog’s body, helping to keep him cooler.
Make playtime a water sport by adding a dog pool or splash pad to your outdoor space.
Or when all else fails, just use a good old fashioned hose.
Protect those paws
Did you know that your dog’s paws can burn and blister on hot pavement? Surfaces like asphalt or concrete sidewalks will be exponentially hotter than the air temperature due to solar radiation from the sun. Review the infographic below from Impact Dog Crates‘ post Is It Too Hot To Walk Your Dog?.
Walking surfaces can reach 125˚when it’s only 77˚ outside, which SEEMS like a prime walking temperature. Always test the surface on which you’ll be walking. Place the back of your hand on it for at least 7 seconds. If it feels too hot for you, then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws as well.
NEver leave your dog in a parked car
It should go without saying, but unfortunately it needs to be said again. Never, ever leave your dog in a parked car. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a parked car can increase dramatically within minutes! Review the infographic below from Petplan‘s post Keep It Cool For Pets – Don’t Leave Them In A Hot Car.
Sadly, even if you leave the car and AC running, it’s still not a pass to leave your dog in the car. Cars and compressors can malfunction. Dogs can accidentally bump or press buttons. If they can’t truly go with you, love them enough to leave them at home.
When it comes to summer safety tips for your dog, taking a little extra precaution this summer goes a long way to staying safe, and staying cool!
This post contains affiliate links for products I actually use and recommend. It’s not a sponsored post, but if you purchase through the provided links, I may receive a commission. All opinions are my own.
