Paw-fect Tails:
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 Our body and our pet’s body properly function at a certain temperature. Humans and animals' body temperature can dangerously and uncontrollably over heat in the summertime. The human body will perspire to maintain a healthy temperature. We drink more water when it is warm or use our air-conditioning. However our pets have less options to lower their body temperature, which makes them more susceptible to overheating. Dogs only have sweat glands on their nose and on their pads, which isn’t enough surface area to adequately cool their entire body. So dogs will pant to cool themselves using their respiratory system as an evaporation technique. However long periods of heavy panting can actually cause dehydration. Breeds with shorter noses such as Boxers, Bulldogs and Pugs are affected by the heat more quickly than longer nosed dogs. Overweight, heavy or long haired and older dogs are also especially susceptible to overheating. Your dog depends on you to help keep him or her safe, happy and healthy. The following tips are offered to ensure that you are both having fun and keeping safe this summer!
- If your pet is an outdoor dog, always provide a shady spot large enough to provide constant relief as the sun changes its position throughout the day. Always have more than one water bowl for your dog so that if one spills or is emptied he or she will have another to drink from. Place the water in a shady place because if the water heats up it will not help your dog to cool down! In extreme weather bring your dog inside where he or she can stay cool in the air-conditioning and drink lots of water.
DOG SAFETY TIP: You can entice and encourage your dog to drink by adding a few drops of chicken broth to the water.
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Walk your dog early in the morning, or as the sun is going down instead of during the hottest part of the day, which is usually 12pm-2pm. If nature calls in the afternoon, make it short! Pavement heats rapidly and your dog's paws are sensitive and can burn on hot asphalt so make sure to walk your pet in shaded, grassy areas.
DOG SAFETY TIP: Check the surface temperature of the ground with your hand - if it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paws.
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DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE CAR DURING HOT WEATHER! Even if it is just for a minute, this can cause a serious injury and even death. We love our pets, they are a part of our lives and they love to come with us when we go out. However, during the summer when the temperature outside is high, the temperature inside your car can rise much higher fast. On an 85° day the inside of your car, even with the windows cracked, can reach 102° in as short as 10 minutes. Clearly, parking in the shade or leaving the windows cracked is not going to keep your dog cool or safe from overheating.
DOG SAFETY TIP: If you see a dog alone in a car on a hot summer day enter the nearest store and have the owner paged or call the police. In many states, it's against the law to leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle in a manner that endangers the health or safety of animal.
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Summer is all about the beach and pools. Many dogs will enjoy a cool and refreshing swim! When we allow our dogs to swim we have to remember a few important items. Can your dog swim? Always supervise your dog while he or she is in the pool. If you are at the beach, bring an umbrella for shade and have fresh water to drink. After the water play has subsided, always rinse your doggie with clean water to remove the salt or chlorine from his fur which can cause skin irritation.
DOG SAFETY TIP: If your dog loves water, a kiddie pool in your backyard can provide both hours of fun and a cool retreat in the summertime.
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Summer cut or not? Generally every dog needs some layer of fur on his body for insulation from the heat and also to protect the skin from the harmful sun rays. Make sure your dog groomer doesn’t cut your dogs fur too short. If your dog has white fur, be especially careful about the length of the fur because their skin is more sensitive and they are more prone to sunburn. Dogs like German Shepherds, Husky’s and Labradors should not have a “summer cut” as they can suffer from alopecia x syndrome which is when the fur may not grow back for several months to years.
DOG SAFETY TIP: Brush your dog during spring to help him shed as much of his undercoat as possible. Continue to brush your dog through the summer to remove more fur which will leave him or her more comfortable.
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In the summertime snakes are more active and we encounter more bite cases. Hiking or trailing is more dangerous and requires us to be alert and cautious. Always stay on the trail and observe your pet. Try to prevent him or her from sniffing in areas where snakes may lay like rocks or bushes.
DOG SAFETY TIP: If your dog is bitten, do not attempt to suck the venom, evacuate your pet to a vet immediately.
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Summer is vacation time. We can't always take our pets with us so naturally the best option is a pet sitter who is familiar with your dog and home. This way your pet will feel the most comfortable in it's own surroundings. For those who choose a boarding facility it is recommended to take your dog for a short visit before you place hime or her for the first time so he or she will get used to the staff and the surroundings. It will also help you get an impression of the facility and staff, their attitude and level of care. When you decide to leave your dog at a boarding facility it is recommended to bring with you something from home like a blanket or a pillow so your pooch will feel a little more at home.
DOG SAFETY TIP: There are many dog friendly parks and hotels, so maybe next time you can take your pooch with you on vacation!
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