When it comes to your dog’s best summer care, use these 6 easy tips below!
Hotter temperatures and even hotter cars, damaging sun rays and unprotected dog skin and sensitive K9 paws, potential water dangers, overheating, sunburn and surfaces too hot to walk, use the tips below for your dog’s best summer care against the dangers of summer!
Your Dog’s Best Summer Care: High Temperatures
Did you know that even mild temperatures can be too hot for your dog?! It’s true! Pavement, asphalt, streets and even sidewalks pose dangerous side effects and even serious paw burns for your dog! Walk your dog only during the coolest parts of the day (early morning or late in the evening) and only on grass or dirt, never on hard surfaces that absorb and retain more heat than the air temperature.
DID YOU KNOW?
A mild 77 degrees F could make the pavement 125 degrees F
and in just 60 seconds your dog’s paws could burn!
Leave Your Dog at Home!
Do your dog a favor and leave him at home! Even on “mild” days, your car can quickly soar to 100 degrees plus in mere minutes! Shade or cracking a window does not help! (Plus it is illegal in 31 states!)
Your Dog’s Best Summer Care: Groom NOT SHAVE!
Regular grooming keeps your dog’s coat in great condition and naturally keeps your pup cool! Do not shave your dog to protect their
skin from deadly sunburn. Shaving will expose sensitive skin to harsh sun rays resulting in red, inflamed, irritated and even painful sunburn.
Sunscreen is NOT Just for Humans!
Yes, your dog can become sunburned and develop skin cancer! Regularly apply dog-friendly sunscreen to areas least covered by hair. Use the 3 tips below to protect your dog from excess sun exposure.
- Dogs with light skin and white fur or hair are the most susceptible.
- Between 10am – 4pm, consistently apply sunscreent on your dog’s nose, around the lips, tips of ears as well as the belly and groin area.
- Dogs who love being in the water should have sunscreen immediately reapplied after coming out of the water each time.
Life Vests Are NOT Just for Humans!
Whether your dog’s breed is built for swimming or not, proactively protect your best friend with a well-fitted, dog life jacket or vest.
Even the best K9 swimmer can become tired, injured, entangled or end up in deep water with ocean undertows, rip tides or currents! Keep your dog protected in any body of water.
Your Dog’s Best Summer Care: The Signs of K9 Danger!
To effectively protect your dog, know the signs of potential overheating before your dog’s health is at serious risk! The symptoms of K9 overheating includes:
- Heavy, excessive panting
- Rapid heart rate
- Dry, bright red or pale/gray gums
- Thick drool/salivation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Wobbly legs
- Confusion
Address any signs that your dog is overheating immediately to avoid dangerous heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Also, do NOT place your dog in cold water as that can cause shock and immediately stop all internal cooling.
With these tips and some planning, you and your best friend can safely enjoy all that summer has to offer!
ARKANSAS BEAR CREEK GOLDENS AND DOODLES
Mini F1 Aussiedoodles Available!
We are a small family breeder located in the heart of the Ozarks in Northern Arkansas. We strive to raise healthy, happy, well-socialized, quality Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Mini Labradoodle, and Aussiedoodle puppies.
All our puppies come with a health guarantee for their first 12 months of age.
Please text or call us at 870-404-0127 or 870-404-1189 or use our Contact Form here for more information about upcoming litters.
Image Credits (in order of appearance):
Arkansas Bear Creek Goldens and Doodles
Donald Clark / Pixabay
VeterinaryClinic.com
Alain Audet / Pixabay
Hillye / Pixabay
SarahBanis / Pixabay
