Hot Weather Pet Safety Tips

We love summer and so do our dogs. But when things heat up, our beloved pooches can find themselves in dangerous situations. Follow these 10 tips for hot weather pet safety so you and your dog can enjoy many more summers together. Hot weather pet safety is an important part of making sure this summer is memorable for all the right reasons.

1) Always Keep Fresh Cool Water Available

One of the most important things to remember for dogs in hot weather is to make sure their water bowl is always full. If the water bowl is outside, choose a light colored plastic or ceramic bowl rather than a metal one that can easily heat up in the sun. If possible, keep the water bowl in a shady area of the yard so that the water stays cool, and check it frequently to ensure your pup isn't being scalded by a supposed refreshment.

2) Keep Your Pets Inside

Dogs love the yard, but if you're going to be gone for long days this summer, it may be safer to keep your dog in the house. That way your pets can lounge safely in the air conditioned goodness and stay safe from the hot weather. If you're worried about accidents, use baby gates to block off sections of the house and invest in potty pads, which can be found at most pet supply stores. These will keep your pets safe and your floors clean too.

If you must leave your dogs in hot weather in the yard, be sure there is plenty of shade. Dogs in hot weather are susceptible to heat exhaustion and sunburn, so shade can be a life-saver. Again, don't forget plenty of cool fresh water.

3) Take a Dip

Swimming can be a great way to help dogs in hot weather cool off. Check your local area for lakes or rivers that provide safe swimming locations for dogs. When I lived in Austin, Texas, I saw many happy pooches splashing around in Town Lake. If swimming is a new activity for your dog, introduce your pet slowly to the water and always make sure they have a safe and easy exit route.

Kiddie pools in the backyard are also a great way to help keep your dog cool this summer. They can splash around at their own desire and cool off. This is also a great chance for doggie-child bonding time. Check the water occasionally to make sure it hasn't heated up.

Be sure to keep your pets away from chlorine swimming pools, as the chemicals may be harmful if swallowed. Many pet tragedies occur because a pool is too deep or difficult for a pet to get out of. Keep a fence around the pool and train your dog that this is an off-limits area.

4) Don't Leave Your Pet In a Car

I'm a busy person, and my corgi loves to go everywhere with me. But if the weather is too hot and I need to be out of the car for any period of time, I just have to cope with the puppy eyes and leave the pup at home. Even if parked in the shade, cars can heat up fast and become a dangerous place for your dog in hot weather after only minutes. If Fido doesn't really need to be with you, leave him at home when it's hot. If you do need to travel with your pet, be sure to always keep a bottle of water and a bowl, and please, please, don't leave the car unattended for any length of time.

5) Take Walks in the Early Morning and Evening

Schedule your daily walks for times when the sun isn't in full force. Early mornings and late evenings are nice. Be careful to avoid hot asphalt, as this can be devastating to bare paws. If you must walk your dogs in hot weather, choose to cruise on the grass instead of the street. Everyone loves a summer day at the park.

6) Take a Pre-Summer Vet Trip

Hot weather doesn't just bring out the ice cream trucks and barbeques, it also brings out the creepy-crawlies like fleas and heartworms. Prevention is better than treatment, so get your pets on flea and heartworm preventatives before the hot weather hits.

7) Visit the Groomer

Dogs in hot weather are much happier when they don't have to drag all that fur around. You trade your fur-lined boots for flips-flops in the summer, right? Give your pooch the same luxury by getting them a shorter haircut. It's best for the fur not to be shaved below ¼ inch, though, since then the naked pup is susceptible to sunburn. A quality groomer can give your dog a nice summer haircut.

8) Watch For Coolant Spills

In addition to the dangers of hot asphalt, another thing to watch for when walking dogs in hot weather is coolant spills. If antifreeze has leaked onto the road and your dog licks it up, you could be making a sudden trip to the vet. Just have extra vigilance on your walks and make sure that your dog doesn't lap up some poison.

9) Know Your Breed

Some dog breeds have more trouble with heat than others. Dogs with short noses, known as Brachycephalic dogs, have a hard time in hot weather. This includes breeds like boxers, bulldogs, pugs and shih tzus. Breeds that have a naturally heavy coat originally come from cooler climates and may need extra care to keep them safe in hot weather. This may seem like a no-brainer, but I've seen plenty of fluffy poodles panting in the heat. Make sure you know about your pet's breed (or breeds) and what problems they are likely to encounter.

10) Summer Treats

While you're enjoying your ice cream and watermelon, you may want to give your furry best friend a summer treat as well. But as responsible pet owners, you would never feed your dog people-food from the table, right? Right? Well, things happen. Just pay attention to what you're feeding the dog, and make sure any barbeque guests know the rules. Some bones can splinter or break, so supervise the dog if you're offering him tasty bones. Grapes may be a great juicy human treat in hot weather, but grapes are actually toxic to dogs and can lead to kidney failure, so keep those to yourself. Similarly, any fruits that have pit centers should be avoided, as the pits contain harmful chemicals, and can also cause digestive troubles if swallowed whole.

One great summer treat for dogs is ice cubes. Most dogs love them, and ice cubes will keep them busy and hydrate them at the same time. That's a treat for you too!

Sources:

http://www.treshanley.com/cic/dangerousfoods.html

http://phoenix.about.com/od/animvet/a/dogsheat.htm

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/hot-weather-tips.html