Keeping your dog safe and healthy in the summer is something every dog parent needs to be doing. With the UK summers getting warmer and warmer, it is likely your dog(s) might struggle in the heat as temperatures rise above what we are used to. Not only this but also many other variables can affect your pet’s health during the summer.
This post examines how you can keep your dog fit and healthy during the summer.
Flea and Tick Treatment
The sun comes out, and so do fleas and ticks. Regular flea and tick treatments are vital to keeping these pesky bugs at bay but in the summer; your dog is more at risk of picking these up from the local environment, especially ticks, when walking in long grass or wooded areas. Be careful when removing ticks; twist the theme using a tick removal tool gently until they come away from the body easily; this will remove the risk of it leaving legs in your furry friend. Ongoing flea treatment can help reduce the risk of your dog getting fleas, which will then be transferred to your home, leaving you with an even bigger issue. Talk to your vet or use recommended flea products for all-year-round protection.
20 Is Plenty
Every summer, thousands of dogs are treated for heat exhaustion, and a large number of these are from being left in a hot car. No matter how long you will be, never ever leave your dog alone in a hot car, even with a cracked window. Dogs die in hot vehicles. Dogs can also die on walks when temperatures exceed 20 degrees Celsius, especially if they are exercised hard. Of course, some dogs can tolerate the heat more than others, but when the mercury rises, avoid walking your dog in direct sunlight, during the midday sun, and at places where it is too hot to keep your hand on the ground for longer than 5 seconds. 98% of dogs admitted to vets for heat exhaustion succumb to their symptoms and do not survive. Don’t let your dog become one of these figures.
Regular Grooming
Regularly grooming your dog during the hot weather will remove loose fur and dander from their coats, allowing them to feel cooler and regulate their body temperature better. Remember, don’t sweat. They lose heat via their paws and panting and from underneath their body. But the less fur they have and the cleaner they are, the easier it is to help them stay cool. Plus, extra grooming can alert you to the presence of any fleas or ticks (see above) and changes to their health, such as increased breathing rates indicating illness or potential heat stroke.
Play It Cool
Lastly, keeping things cool in the summer can ensure your dog can still enjoy the heat and stay safe and healthy too. Freezing treats, giving them ice chips to chew on (ice is only dangerous to dogs if they are already suffering from heatstroke as the shock from the temperature change can worsen their situation), playing in water, adding water to their meals, or using cooling mats in the shade and cool vests and bandanas are excellent ways of keeping your believed pooch safe. A safe pupper is a healthy one, and ensuring they can enjoy the sun safely is a must. If your dog is a sun worshipper, ensure they have a cool spot to retreat to once they have had enough, and always remember to cool them down from their paws and stomach. Never pour water dogs back in the sun to cool them down. The water will heat up in the sun.
Conclusion
Make sure you are aware of any changes in your dog’s behaviour during the summer to help you identify if they are struggling in the heat and you know how to help them. The summer can be a great time to get out and about and enjoy many adventures with your dog, but keeping them safe means you must be careful about how they exercise and are treated in rising temperatures.