What’s not to love about sweet summertime? Many people look forward to it all year long, and dogs often feel the same way! They get to take more walks in the nice weather, spend more time outdoors, and get more exercise. However the summer heat can easily take its toll on your dog if you aren’t being careful. Read on for some important tips for walking your dog in the summer.
6 Tips for Staying Safe While Walking Your Dog in the Summer
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Plan walks in the early morning or later in the evening to avoid high temperatures.
If you go for a walk in the afternoon, you’re going to feel the heat much more intensely than you will when the sun is just coming up! The hottest hours of the day tend to fall in the late afternoon, so avoiding this will keep you AND your dog from overheating.
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Quench your dog’s thirst periodically.
You can get portable water bowls for dogs online, like these from Amazon! They’re compact and convenient to carry with you on long walks. Just be sure to bring a bottle of water as well to fill it up for your tired pup.
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Keep an eye on your pup’s paws to make sure they aren’t hurt by the heat.
Sun can quickly heat the outdoor surfaces your dog walks on. If your dog has especially sensitive paw pads, using Musher’s Secret Paw Protection Natural Dog Wax may be a smart move. It forms a barrier that protects paws from the excessive heat on sidewalks or streets!
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Know the symptoms of heat stroke in dogs.
According to PetMD, symptoms such as panting, excessive drooling, increased body temperature, rapid heart rate, and reddened gums can all be signs. Be aware of this so you can know the signs in case your dog needs a break from the heat!
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Protect them from UV rays with dog-friendly sunscreen.
Did you know there is special sunscreen just for dogs? This version is specially formulated to protect your dog’s nose, ears, tummy and other unprotected areas! They’ll be thanking you later.
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Consider a cooling vest for your dog if they spend a lot of time outside.
Isn’t technology great? To use a cooling vest, you get it wet, wring it out, and put it on your pet. It then reflects the sun while evaporative cooling pulls heat from the dog. Pretty neat!
Walking your dog in the summer is a great way to bond and get exercise for your canine pal. Just be sure to follow these tips to ensure they stay safe, hydrated and happy along the way! One last thing to note: be sure to never leave your dog in a car unattended on warm days. Cars heat up very quickly in the sun and can be extremely dangerous to animals left inside. Always play it safe and take them with you when you leave the car.
What are your favorite activities to do with your dog in the summertime? Tell us in the comments below!
Our papillons go onto lawns and roll when they get overheated, to cool off in the grass.
That’s when I know for sure to get home.
I love how your Papillions have a way to tell you when it is time to head home from walks on hot weather days and you know to watch for this. We shorten walks and add play time based on the weather to make sure our client’s fur-kids stay safe.