Keep Your Dog Safe From Summer Heat

Dog left in car in the summer heat

Dogs are sensitive to heat and can easily suffer from heat-related illnesses, especially during the summer months. As a responsible pet owner, it’s crucial to take certain precautions to keep your furry friend safe and comfortable during hot weather. Here are some tips to help keep your dog safe from the summer heat:

  • Provide plenty of water: Ensure that your dog has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Dehydration can happen quickly in hot weather, so make sure to refill their water bowl frequently.
  • Create a cool environment: Keep your home cool and well-ventilated. If you have air conditioning, use it to maintain a comfortable temperature. If not, consider using fans or providing a shaded area for your dog to rest.
  • Avoid hot surfaces: Asphalt and concrete can become scorching hot under the summer sun, leading to paw pad burns. Walk your dog during cooler parts of the day or on grassy surfaces. Read Protecting Paw Pads in Summer Heat. It’s a 2-minute read packed with good information about your dog’s paws.
  • If possible invest in dog booties to protect their paws.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Minimize strenuous activities and exercise during the hottest hours of the day. Instead, opt for walks and playtime during the cooler mornings or evenings.
  • Never leave your dog in a parked car: Even with the windows cracked open, the temperature inside a car can rise to dangerous levels within minutes. Leaving your dog in a parked car, even for a short time, can be life-threatening. If you think your dog is fine in the car because you’ve left the air conditioning on, think about if the car were to suddenly turn off.
  • Use cooling products: You can find cooling vests, bandanas, and mats designed to help regulate a dog’s body temperature. These products can provide relief during hot weather.
  • Watch for signs of heatstroke: Symptoms of heatstroke in dogs include excessive panting, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, collapse, and seizures. If you suspect heatstroke, move your dog to a cool area, offer water, and seek immediate veterinary attention.
  • Grooming: Regular grooming can help keep your dog’s coat in good condition and prevent matting, which can trap heat.
  • Frozen treats: Treat your dog to frozen goodies like ice cubes made from chicken broth or frozen dog treats. This can provide some relief from the heat.
  • Swimming: If your dog enjoys swimming, a dip in a pool or a shallow body of water can be an excellent way for them to cool off.
Image of cute white Maltese

Maltese Skin Conditions

Learn About Maltese Skin Conditions Maltese dogs, with their exquisite fluffy coats and charming personalities,…

Read More
Share on:
You might also like
pug dog
Dog Health, Pugs Health Problems

Why Do Pugs Tend to Get Hot Spots?

by Lisa Porter on Jun 27 2023

In the whimsical world of pugs, where charm meets wrinkles, a fiery enigma burns beneath their furry façade: hot spots. These seemingly spontaneous patches of irritated skin have long puzzled both pet owners and veterinarians alike. With their lovable nature and endearing appearance, pugs have captured the hearts of many, but their propensity for developing hot spots has sparked curiosity and concern in the pug-loving community. Read on while we unravel the secrets behind why pugs are more prone to hot spots, delving into the intriguing connections between their unique physiology, playful behavior, and environmental factors. So let’s find out why do pugs tend to get hot spots in the first place and what to do about them.

Continue reading
Skin, Coat & Paw Care

Six Ingredients to Avoid in Pet Shampoos

by Lisa Porter on Jul 03 2020

You can protect your pet from toxic ingredients in pet shampoos by understanding the labels so you know what’s in them. Your pet’s skin is his biggest organ. It protects him from disease, viruses, insects and all other elements of the environment, which is why it’s important to have a good understanding of what’s in the products you use. What you put on your pet’s skin gets absorbed easily so if you are not a label reader, you may consider becoming one.

Continue reading
Flea & Tick Protection

View now! Chemical-free flea & tick repellents

by Lisa Porter on Jul 19 2020

Bathing your dog regularly with a shampoo that contains a balanced formula of natural flea and tick repellents and following up with a plant- and oil-based repellent spray is the best way to kill fleas on dogs and keep them from coming back.

Continue reading
Skin, Coat & Paw Care

What Is The Best Pet Shampoo?

by Lisa Porter on Mar 25 2021

If you knew what is the best pet shampoo, you would buy it if the price were reasonable right? So the question is, what are you doing to find out which one will make your pet’s skin and coat the cleanest, shiniest and healthiest? This may take a little homework because manufacturers like to use words you don’t understand, but in the long run, it will save you a lot of money in vet bills for allergies, dry skin, dander, excessive licking, scratching, hot spots, and other skin issues.

Continue reading