5 Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe This Summer
There is nothing I love more than spending a hot summer day outside with my dog Maya. Camping, hiking, and beach days spent under a blue sky are some of the best memories I have with her. As I pack my essentials for a long day in the sun, I always keep in mind what things my dog will need to have a safe and fun day filled with adventures. Before you grab your leash and head out the door, here are 5 tips to help you have the best summer day with your dog!
1. KEEP THEM COOL
With the temperatures rising, it's natural to want to spend all day in the sun with your dog. It’s important to remember that just like us if dogs are exposed to too much heat they can be at risk for heatstroke. Heatstroke occurs when your dog's core temperature reaches over 41° C or 106 ° F. Signs of heatstroke include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, and seizures. If your dog experiences any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately. Did you know that short-snouted dogs, like pugs, have a harder time regulating their temperatures due to their shorter nasal passages? Remember, if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog. But don't worry, there are a lot of ways to have fun in the sun while keeping your dog safe!
- Keep long walks and runs to early mornings and evenings when the sun is low.
- Offer your dog a cool mat, cold towel, or an elevated cot to lie on.
- Offer your dog a small kiddy pool filled with cool, shallow water to play and cool down in.
- Add ice cubes to your dog's water bowl.
- Never keep your dog in a parked car.
2. KEEP THEM HYDRATED
With the hot sun and increased exercise, it's important to make sure our dogs are getting enough water to stay hydrated. Make sure your dog has constant access to fresh water this summer. Sometimes, our dogs get too excited to drink water and can lose fluids faster than they can replace them. This can be dangerous as it can lead to dehydration! There are many ways to ensure your dog is getting enough water to stay hydrated this summer. If your dog is not a big water drinker, you can try replacing some of his kibble with wet food. Did you know that canned food can be made with up to 80% water? You can also freeze low sodium chicken broth in ice cubes or water bottles to provide a cool, tasty treat and hydration on a hot summer day!
3. MICROCHIPS
Fireworks can be one of the most exciting aspects of summer, but the loud, thundering noise can really scare our furry friends. Losing your dog when it gets spooked by fireworks, loud music or a large crowd can be terrifying for both you and your dog. Microchipping your dog can help get your best friend back home faster. A microchip is a small chip, about the size of a grain of rice that is placed under your pet's skin. They contain a serial number, that when scanned provides shelters and veterinarians access to your contact information and helps your dog get home faster. Talk to your veterinarian for more information on getting your dog microchipped.
4. TICK PREVENTION
Some of my favourite activities to do with my dog in the summer are camping and hiking, and when temperatures rise above 4° C or 39° F ticks come out to play. Ticks carry diseases that both humans and dogs can contract and diseases like Lyme disease can be dangerous for both you and your dog! It’s important to do regular tick checks on your dog after visiting tick endemic areas like parks, campsites, and beaches. You can also protect your dog by talking to your veterinarian about tick prevention medication. They can perform a risk assessment and find the right tick prevention medication for your pet!
5. HEARTWORM PREVENTION
It seems like every summer we are joined by our buzzing friends, the mosquitos. Although they seem like a nuisance to us, they can pose a serious threat to our furry companions. You see, some mosquitos may carry a disease called Heartworm, which they pick up by feeding on an infected animal. But what is Heartworm? When an infected mosquito bites your dog, it injects baby worms, called microfilaria into your dog. Once the microfilaria are in your dog, they will continue to grow into adult worms and reproduce. These worms can grow to be up to 12 inches long and like to live in your dog’s heart, lungs and associated blood vessels. Heartworm disease can cause severe damage to these organs, and if left untreated, can be fatal. Treatment can be quite expensive, and dangerous for your pet.
The good news is that we can prevent our best friends from contracting this disease. Heartworm prevention medication works by stopping the microfilaria from developing into adult worms, keeping your dog happy and healthy! Heartworm prevention must be prescribed by a veterinarian, who can test your pet for Heartworm and perform a risk assessment based on your location. There are several products on the market, and your veterinarian will be able to prescribe the right one for your dog!
For more information on what Heartworm is, please visit The American Heartworm Society website.
To see if you live in a heartworm endemic area, please refer to the following maps: USA and Canada
Remember to keep your dogs cool and hydrated while having fun. I hope these tips help you and your dog have a safe, adventure-filled summer!
