Here, we at Emotional Pet Support share with you, ten simple ways you can keep your dog cool during this coming summer season! We all know how fun it can be to play in the sun – especially since school is out for many! But, we usually apply sunscreen and drink plenty of water to keep ourselves nice and cool for the summer, but not much thought about our dogs! So, without further ado, here are the 10 tips to keep your dog cool for this coming summer:
1 Never leave your pet in an unattended automobile
Even if it’s for only one hour, you’d be surprised to know how fast a car can get dangerously hot! Even if it’s 75 degrees Fahrenheit, the inside of your car can easily climb to around 115 degrees in just that one hour you spent shopping for groceries! That could turn your dog into a hotdog before you get your receipt!
2 Avoid letting your dog walk on hot surfaces – like asphalt
Your dog’s paws aren’t mittens and it will hurt a lot when your dog is having to walk on torching asphalt during a 90-degree day! It would be suggested that you try to make your dog walk on the grass or on the sidewalk or even bring it under the shade to give its paws a break from surviving the heat. You may even want to consider putting on little booties on those puppy paws!
3 Always give your dog plenty of fresh water!
We at Emotional Pet Support would be unlike ourselves to not include this obvious tip in our list! The summer season demands that all lifeforms perspire or do something to adjust to the increased heat. Dogs aren’t much different from us and their demand for water will go up. But because of this, you will have to make sure you continue giving your dog fresh water and not leaving them with dirty, old water or worse – with an empty water dish!
4 Bring water with you if you go out with your dog!
Not only must you do what’s on number 3, but you need to also bring water with you and your dog as well. Would you go for an hour-long hike without any water? Probably not. It is always a good idea to be prepared for the worst because, in the summer season, your dog might get dehydrated and you’ll be glad you had that extra source of water waiting for you to save your dog with!
5 If it’s more than 85 degrees Fahrenheit, leave the dog home
Unless there’s an earthquake, it would be safer to simply leave your dog home if the outdoors is more than 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a dangerous temperature as dogs usually have lots of furs and will collect heat much quicker and longer than you.
6 Apply sunscreen to your dog’s skin and fur
You may think that your skin needs it and that your dog may be somehow immune to the sun’s UV rays. Wrong. Your dog is just as vulnerable to the sun as you are. We suggest that you apply sunscreen onto your dog’s skin and fur to keep them protected and healthy!
7 Perhaps put on a cooling vest on your dog
For precautionary practices, you may want to consider buying a comfortable-sized cooling vest for your dog. Remember dogs don’t cool down as well as we do, they just might need and even appreciate the vest! Then you can go on that exciting new hike trail you promised your dog you’d go to! Over course, this vest is different than an Emotional Support Animal vest or even a service dog vest. These vests usually have cold packs built onto the sides to help keep your dog cool.
8 Do not overexercise your dog!
Sometimes, dogs may not know what their limits are. It would be a good idea to wait until the hot summer afternoon sun dies down and try playing catch with your dog in the evening instead!
9 Perhaps put your dog in a cool pool
Dog’s cool by the use of their sweat glands. However, that may be a slow process and it might be better to allow your dog to go into a pool and cool down faster from that. Never apply ice directly onto your dog, concentrated coldness may have adverse effects such as constricting blood flow and making the cooling process slower.
10 Acquaint yourself with the visual signs of Dehydration
There are some signs to keep in mind when determining if your dog is feeling dehydrated. It would be ideal if you act fast and give your dog water and take him to a cooling pool if your dog experiences the following: a dry/chapped nose, it starts vomiting, it has trouble balancing itself, it looks tired, etc.
So, follow these quick 10 tips to help keep your dog safe and healthy during this fun summer season! Even if your dog is an emotional support dog, a service dog, a therapy dog, or just a plain pet. All dogs need proper care from their owners.