Summertime means trips! We love to take our dogs on our trips, regardless of whether their dog behavior outdoors is the best or not. Getting puppy insurance is also sometimes optimal for the frequency of trips. In this article, we’ve listed down the issues you’ve got to watch out for your dog. In addition, we’ve got the top ways you can do to keep your dogs safe, lively, and ready for adventures!
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What Issues Do You Have To Watch Out For In Your Dog In Summertime?
Summer is surely a fun time for most of us. However, it can get pretty uncomfortable (or even dangerous!) for dogs to be out during these hot summer days! Here are some of the problems you may encounter with your beloved dog during the summer:
Dehydration
When the body loses more fluids than it takes in, dogs can get dehydrated. Panting, peeing, and even evaporation via their paws are all ways they lose fluids. If any of the following signs appear, the dog requires immediate rehydration and electrolyte replacement:
- Panting
- Dry gums and nose
- Thick saliva
- Lethargy
- Sunken eyes
- Loss of elasticity in the skin
It’s possible that simply giving your dog a bowl of water isn’t enough; electrolytes may also need to be supplied. Use an electrolyte solution or a product with electrolyte-enhanced water. Consult your veterinarian for dose advice. You might also need to see an emergency veterinarian who can give you intravenous fluids.
Overheating And Heat Stroke
A dog’s extended exposure to high heat can cause heatstroke, which is a dangerous and often fatal condition. Heatstroke happens when the dog’s ability to disperse heat is compromised by a high ambient temperature. How high a temperature is attained and how long the animal is exposed affect the degree of harm.
Early Stages:
- Excessive drooling
- Heavy panting
- Rapid breathing
- Bright red tongue and gums
- Difficulty maintaining balance
Advanced Stages:
- White or blue gums
- Lethargy, unwillingness to move
- Uncontrollable urination or defecation
- Labored, noisy breathing
- Seizure, or shock
If your dog starts to show indications of heatstroke, you should try to cool him down as soon as possible. Getting them into the shade, showering them with cool or lukewarm water, and fanning them are all ways to keep them cool.
Check your dog’s temperature often during this process. Once it’s settled at approximately 100-to-102 degrees, you can halt the cool-down procedure. If you can’t get the dog to calm down and you notice signs of advanced heatstroke, take him to the vet right once. Fluids, medication, assistance, and oxygen are required for severely ill canines.
Insects And Other Outdoor Animals
Dogs are curious animals who are more than likely to stick their nose in a beehive at some point, exposing them to a variety of painful stings and diseases. Some stings can cause life-threatening reactions, even death. We recommend getting your dog to the vet right away if it develops abrupt diarrhea, severe hives, or irritation after being stung by a bee.
Snakes can also pose a major threat to your curious dog. Snakes can be found across the United States, and many of them are poisonous. While dogs have considerably faster reactions than humans, they can still be bitten, and the toxin will function in the same way. If your dog appears to have been bitten by a snake and the region is swollen, attempt to identify the snake as soon as possible and notify your veterinarian.
Fleas And Ticks
During the summer, your dog is more likely to be afflicted with fleas and ticks. Fleas are bugs that can cause your dog’s health to deteriorate rapidly. So, when you arrive home from a summer day walk, double-check your dog’s coat.
Ticks and fleas prefer tall grasses and bushes to hide in. They are adept at camouflaging themselves behind a dog’s thick coat. You should inspect their fur thoroughly, particularly the area around their lips, inside their ears, and around their neck.
Lyme Disease
It is spread by ticks, and one of the first symptoms is lameness. Lyme disease causes joint swelling, lymph node swelling, tiredness, and appetite loss. It’s a condition that affects a lot of pets. If not treated promptly, this condition is known to harm the kidneys and result in renal failure.
Heartworm
During the summer, mosquitos are likely the second most serious health concern to your dog. These tiny insects can transmit a variety of diseases, the most common of which being heartworm. Heartworm is a parasitic infection that damages your pet’s heart and is possibly fatal. Most flea and tick drugs also protect your dog from heartworm, so use one if you plan to let your dog outside during the summer.
What Can You Do To Keep Your Dogs Safe, Healthy, And Active In Summertime?
NEVER Leave Your Dog In A Hot Car.
A pet can succumb to heatstroke and suffocate in a car in minutes — yes, MINUTES. Most people are unaware of how hot parked cars may become. On a 78°F day, for example, a car’s interior temperature can reach 90°F in the shade and 160°F if parked directly in the sun! On hot days, it’s preferable to leave your dog at home.
Make Sure Your Dog Is Protected From All The Bees, Fleas, Ticks And Mosquitoes!
Keep your dogs safe by keeping them and their environment clean and pest-free! You can put mosquito coils around your house. Limiting their time out playing in grassy areas where these insects reside will also help. You can buy a pet-friendly insect repellent spray for your dog. Keeping your dog washed and cleansed regularly also helps. Clean their dog beds regularly since fleas and ticks may also be there. Dogs may like to play around in the dirt, but that doesn’t mean they gotta be dirt always!
Keep Your Puppy’s Paws Cool And Relaxed.
Surfaces like asphalt or metal can become quite hot when the sun is baking! Keep your pet away from hot asphalt; not only will it burn their paws, but it will also raise their body temperature and cause them to overheat. Driving around with your dog in the bed of a truck is also not a smart idea — the hot metal may easily burn paws (and they can fall out and become injured).
Always Have Drinking Water And Shade On Standby.
When it gets hot, our dogs are thirstier than we are, and they have no way to cool down other than panting and drinking. As much as possible, keep your dogs safe and in the shade. While dogs and cats like sunbathing, direct sunshine can induce overheating and heatstroke in animals (particularly in dogs). If they tend to pee indoors, at least place their water near where they can also urinate safely and cleanly.
Give Your Dog A Pool Or Bucket To Splash In!
Water-loving dogs will naturally enjoy it even more during the summer months, as getting wet keeps them cool. A small, kid-sized pool or a large pail of chilly water will be beneficial. They’re having so much fun and avoiding the risks of overheating at the same time!
Never Just Assume Your Dogs Can Swim Well.
Just because dogs can swim intuitively doesn’t imply they’re terrific swimmers. If your dog jumps into your pool, he may not be able to get out without assistance and may drown. Make sure your dog can’t get into your pool if you’re not there.
Dogs Get Sunburnt Too!
Dogs, especially those with short or light-colored coats, can get sunburned, believe it or not. Sunburns can be painful for dogs, just like they are for humans, and excessive sun exposure can lead to skin cancer. Consult your veterinarian about sunscreens for your dog (don’t presume a sunscreen designed for humans is OK for your dog).
No Fence? Keep Your Dog On A Leash (Or With Techy Dog Collars)
Summer brings with it a variety of fascinating sights, smells, critters roaming around, and new and exciting locations to visit. You never want to lose your dog because he became distracted in a strange place. Also, keep in mind that not every dog is suited to be off-leash; some dogs simply cannot be trusted to come when called. If you let your dog loose and they tend to explore a lot, keep your dogs safe by getting a GPS dog collar or dog collar wireless fence.
Watch What Your Dog Eats, Their Weight Matters!
Many dogs gain a few extra pounds after a long winter. Summer is the ideal time for him to boost his workout and become in better shape. An overweight pet will live 2-3 years longer than one who maintains a healthy weight throughout his lifetime! Just be careful not to overwork your dog. Check out simple ways to keep your dog fit and healthy! Consult your veterinarian, give him plenty of rest, and ease him into physical activity if your dog is particularly overweight.
Keep Those Windows Screened And That Hot Sunlight Filtered.
You may want to keep your house ventilated, but you don’t want your dog to leap out! Putting lightweight curtains or screens on your windows can help lessen the heat from the sunlight coming through. Dogs shouldn’t be kept in completely closed spaces as well, so proper ventilation is truly important.
The most crucial suggestion is to pay attention to your dog; you’ll be able to tell when he’s in pain. Summer can be a wonderful time to spend with your dog, but remember to follow these guidelines!
FAQ’s On Ways To Keep Your Dogs Safe, Healthy and Active During The Summer
What’s The One Thing Pet Owners Need To Be Wary Of During The Summer Months?
A: It’s crucial to remember that pets don’t sweat as much as humans do, making them more prone to overheating and heatstroke. When a heatwave strikes, you must remain watchful and keep your dogs safe especially during the summer months.
How Often Should A Pet Be Hydrated When They’re Outside?
A: It’s critical to keep a dish of fresh, clean water on hand for your canine best friend at all times, especially during the hot summer months. Pets can quickly become dehydrated, so having easy access to water, especially when they’re outside, is important. On average, a dog will lap up their water a few times in just an hour under the hot weather.
Can Dogs Contract Skin Cancer?
A: Pets, like humans, can get burnt in the summer, especially if their fur is short or light-colored. It can be excruciatingly painful and can lead to skin cancer. If you plan on spending time in the sun with your pet, make sure to apply sunscreen to the regions with the least amount of hair, such as their stomachs, ears, and nose, every three to four hours. Sunscreen is recommended, but be sure the sunscreen you use is specifically made for pets.
Will Pets Experience Long-term Effects From Exposure To Summertime Heat?
A: Death from heatstroke (particularly from late-onset multi-organ failure and subsequent skin necrosis/slough) is the worst long-term result of excessive heat exposure! Other than that, minor heat exposure has no long-term consequences, only short-term if the dog gets heat stress.
How Can My Pet Get Exercise When It’s So Hot Outside During The Summer?
A: On hot days, it’s vital to keep outside exercise to a minimum. Schedule your walks during the cooler hours of the day (early morning or late evening). This may mean that it is a little dark in some areas, so carry a flashlight and make sure that both you and your dog are wearing reflective materials. Asphalt heats up quickly and can create painful burns on your pet’s paws. To keep their paws protected, walk on the grass whenever feasible or buy in a pair of heat-protective booties.
Conclusion
In totality, keeping your dogs safe and healthy during the summer is a priority for many pet owners. Indeed, how can you have a truly fun vacation if your family’s pet pooch isn’t enjoying it as much as you? We hope that the tips and information in this article helped you out and your beloved pet.