Safety Tips for Your Dog During the Summer

Let's discuss safety tips for your dog during the summer. Summer is a great time of year, but it can also be full of dangers. This article offers tips on how to keep your beloved canine safe from summer dangers that you might have never even thought of.

1. Prevent Sunburn. Yes, dogs have fur so you might assume they are protected from ever getting sunburn. However, if your dog is outside a lot or has short hair it could get sunburn. To prevent this you can have your dog wear a shirt and apply pet-safe sunscreen to their ears, nose, and anywhere that their hair is really short or thin.

2. Prevent Heatstroke. All throughout the summer you need to make sure that your dog is drinking plenty of water. Also, when outside make sure there are spots where your dog can lounge in the shade to cool off. Heatstroke can happen to any dog, but is more common in dogs with shorter breathing systems such as bull dogs and pugs. If you suspect heatstroke, immediately take your dog to a veterinarian. To prevent heatstroke you may also want to take your pooch on walks in the morning and evening when its cooler.

3. Preventing drowning. Some dogs are really great swimmers, but dogs can drown too. Always keep a close eye on your pooch when it's swimming. If you are at the beach, be careful with letting your dog in the ocean, because waves and currents can be dangerous. If your dog likes to join you on a boat you should definitely consider buying a dog life vest. 

4. Don't leave dog in the car. Temperatures can rise to disgustingly hot levels in a car during the summer. If you leave your dog in the car, even with the windows cracked the temperatures can be way too hot and your dog could have a heatstroke and die. Take Fido along on joy rides with the wind blowing through its ears, but don't take your dog with you if they will get left in the car even for just a few minutes.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.