Taking Care of Our Furry Friends During the Dog Days of Summer
Summer is in full blast and temperatures keep rising! This may be great for a nice day on the beach, but it also puts the health of our furry friends at risk. Here are a few helpful hints to help you keep your dog cool and hydrated during these summer months!
If you are out at a park enjoying the sun with your human friends as well as your furry ones, always be sure to pack extra water. According to Pet MD, panting helps evaporate fluids from the respiratory tract. Many dog owners will keep collapsible bowls in the back of their car or even in their backpack. These types of bowls are convenient because they take up little to no room, and hold water a lot better than a cupped hand can. You can find collapsible bowls at any of your local pet stores.
Another factor to consider is the longer a dog's snout, the more efficient their body is at keeping cool. This doesn't mean that if you dog has a long snout it is safe for them to be left in a hot car... Leaving a dog in a hot car is never the right answer. What it does mean is that certain breeds are more susceptible to over heating than others. If your dog has a flat-shaped face like a Boston Terriers or a Pug they cannot pant as effectively and are more susceptible to heat stroke. Beyond face and snout shape, ASPCA advises that pets which are overweight and have heart or lung problems be kept in cool rooms or in the shade as much as possible.
Finally, please beware of hot sidewalks! Yes, a dog's paw is meant to handle the outdoors. With that being said; so many of our dogs have the luxury of being domesticated, living most of their lives indoors. This keeps a pup's paw softer than that of a dog that lives most of it's life outdoors. Pay attention to the ground you are walking on, if you dog starts to pull, jump, or bark (more than normal) consider stepping into a shaded or grassy area. Another way to avoid burning your pet's paws is by taking them for walks early in the morning or later in the evening rather than during mid-day when the sun is the hottest.
Have any more helpful ways to keep your dogs cool during the summer?
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