1. Your dog should ALWAYS have access to fresh drinking water and shade
Our dogs get much thirstier than we do when they get hot, and other thanpanting and drinking, they really have no way to cool themselves down. Keep your pet in the shade as often as possible. While dogs and cats like to sunbathe, direct sunlight can overheat them, especially dogs and cause heatstroke.
2. Never, ever, EVER leave your dog in a hot car
It can take minutes for a pet to develop heat stroke and suffocate in a car. Most people don't realize how hot it gets in parked cars. According to the
Pet Health Network, on a 78-degree day, for instance, temperatures in a car can reach 90 degrees in the shade and top 160 degrees if parked directly in the sun! Your best bet is to leave your dog home on warm days. If you're driving around with your dog in the car, bring water and a water dish and take your dog with you when you leave the car.
3. Keep your dog's paws cool
When the sun is cooking, surfaces like asphalt or metal can get hot! Try to keep your pet off hot asphalt; not only can it burn paws, but it can also increase body temperature and lead to overheating. It's also not a good idea to drive around with your dog in the bed of a truck – the hot metal can burn paws quickly and they can fall out to be injured or killed in an accident.
4. Know the signs of heat-related illness or heat stroke
According the Humane Society of America, signs of heat related illness/heat stroke include: heavy panting, excessive drooling, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, unsteadiness/staggering, bloody vomit, bloody diarrhea or nose bleed, dry, deep red or purple tongue, hemorrhages in the gums or under skin.
5. Make sure your dog is protected from parasites like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes
If not protected, your dog is at risk for heartworm, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and a host of other nasty and dangerous conditions. And don't forget, many of these diseases can be caught by people too!
6. Don't assume your dog can swim well
Just because dogs instinctively know how to swim, doesn't mean they're good swimmers. And if your dog jumps in your swimming pool, they might not be able to get out without help and could easily drown. Make sure your dog can't get into your swimming pool without you around.
7. Dogs get sunburns too!
Dogs can sunburn, especially those with short or light-colored coats. And just like with people, sunburns can be painful for a dog and overexposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer. Talk to your veterinarian about sunscreens for your dog.
8. If there's no fence, keep your dog on a leash
Summertime means all sorts of exciting sights, scents, critters running around, and new and exciting places to explore. You never want to lose your dog because he became distracted in an unfamiliar environment. Remember, not every dog is meant to be off-leash; some dogs just can never be fully trusted to come when called. Make sure you understand your dog's tendencies and err on the side of being overly cautious.
9. Watch your dog's weight
After a long winter, many dogs put on a few extra pounds. Summer is the perfect time to increase his level of exercise and get in tip-top shape. A pet that maintains a healthy weight throughout his lifetime will live, on average, 2-3 years longer than an overweight pet! Just make sure not to over-exert your dog. Talk to your veterinarian, give him adequate rest and if your dog is especially overweight, make sure you ease him into physical activity.
10. Keep your windows screened!
You may want your house to be ventilated, but you do not want your dog jumping out!
Perhaps the most important tip is to pay attention to your dog – you'll know when he seems uncomfortable. Summer can be a great time to spend with your dog, but it's important to keep these tips in mind!