| Reading this article could save your dog's | | | | dish. A vet bill can be much higher than a |
| life. Summertime brings longer days, warmer | | | | water bill. |
| yemperatures and a need for safety. Whether | | | | |
| you live in the far north, the deep south, | | | | *No, an ice cold beer is not the answer on a |
| the coast or the desert, the more you know | | | | hot summer day!! Alcohol is poison to your |
| about hot weather dog safety, the better. | | | | dog. Give your dog lots of cold, clean |
| | | | water. |
| For example, at temperatures of 40, 50, 60 or | | | | |
| even 70 degrees Fahrenheit (depending on | | | | *Please don't tether your dog outside when |
| humidity levels) leaving your dog in the car | | | | it's hot. Dogs easily get the tether wrapped |
| can turn into a fatality. Dog heat stroke | | | | around various objects and end up in the sun. |
| happens fast. Many places have laws about | | | | This is a recipe for dog heat stroke. |
| leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle and | | | | |
| the places that don't, should. | | | | *Remember your dog doesn't wear shoes and |
| | | | asphalt, concrete, etc. get very hot in the |
| Think about it! If its 70 degrees, humidity | | | | summer sun. Burnt puppy pads are very |
| is high (making the heat index over 80/85 | | | | painful and can become a serious issue with |
| degrees Farenheit) all the car windows are | | | | possible infection quickly. Imagine walking |
| rolled up with a 1-3" opening, the car is in | | | | barefoot on asphalt in the summer. Ouch! Walk |
| the direct sun, or even the shade, and you're | | | | your dog when it's cooler outside and |
| leaving your dog in the car for more than 10 | | | | preferably in shaded areas. |
| minutes, could this be a problem? Maybe it's | | | | |
| 80 or 90 degrees Fahrenheit and you leave | | | | *When you're out & about with your dog, don't |
| your dog in the car. Take the moment and ask | | | | let your dog drink from stagnant water |
| yourself, is this safe? Ask yourself if you | | | | sources. These often have bacteria & mold |
| would be safe left in the conditions you plan | | | | that will make your dog very sick. Carry a |
| to leave your dog in. Would a baby be safe? | | | | water bottle and train your dog to drink from |
| If your answer is no, then your dog won't be | | | | it. |
| safe either. Would a police officer, animal | | | | |
| control officer, or veterinarian scold you or | | | | *Never, ever leave your dog unsupervised |
| possibly ticket you for leaving your dog? If | | | | around a swimming pool. They can easily |
| the answer is yes, then don't do it. | | | | drown. If you have a pool, train your dog |
| | | | where the stairs are so they know how to get |
| If you have any doubt about your dog's | | | | out. Just like children, keep an eye on your |
| safety, listen to that and act accordingly. | | | | dog, at all times, when they're in the pool |
| In the spring & summer months, dog heat | | | | area. |
| exhaustion/heat stroke is the main concern. | | | | |
| Believe me, watching a dog succumb due to | | | | Immediately call your veterinarian or animal |
| heat exhaustion/stroke is heart breaking. | | | | emergency hospital if any of the following |
| They refuse water & food, are lethargic, | | | | occur: |
| breath rapidly, can't get up, are | | | | |
| disoriented, vomit continually, have | | | | *Rapid breathing with an increased heart |
| uncontrollable diarrhea, and slowly die. | | | | rate. |
| | | | |
| To protect your dog from heat exhaustion and | | | | *Your dog has discolored gums--Dogs with heat |
| heat stroke, read and adhere to the | | | | stroke have dull gray or pink gums instead of |
| following: | | | | the normal red-pink color. |
| | | | |
| *Don't leave you dog in the car unless you | | | | *Your dog is disoriented--they are unaware of |
| plan to leave the air conditioner running. | | | | their environment. |
| | | | |
| *Don't let your dog run in the middle of the | | | | *Your dog isn't listening or obeying |
| day. | | | | commands, seems lost or scared. |
| | | | |
| Let your dog go for it in the early morning | | | | *Your dog has a wild or panicked expression. |
| or at night when it's cooler. | | | | |
| | | | If you suspect your dog may have heat stroke, |
| *Keep in mind if you live in a highly | | | | first call your Veterinarian or animal |
| humidity climate. Exercise your dog when | | | | emergency hospital and then, to help bring |
| humidity is very low. | | | | your dogs temperature down: |
| | | | |
| *Take stock if your dog has dark colored fur. | | | | *Gently place a cool wash cloth on the |
| They will get hot faster (black absorbs heat | | | | unhaired belly area. Keep rinsing the cloth |
| where white repels it). | | | | with fresh cool water and applying until your |
| | | | dog is calmer (this should only take about 5 |
| *Be especially careful with short snouted | | | | minutes). |
| dogs like pugs, bulldogs, mastiffs and shih | | | | |
| tzu's. These breeds overheat much faster and | | | | This is not a substitute for getting your dog |
| are highly susceptible to dog heat stroke. | | | | to the veterinarian or animal emergency |
| | | | center. Get them checked out. It could save |
| *Provide shade for your dog. Buy a tarp or a | | | | their life. |
| sheet from the thrift store and put it up if | | | | |
| necessary. It's a lot cheaper than a vet | | | | With the temperatures rising all over, be |
| bill. | | | | aware & make adjustments when necessary to |
| | | | take the very best care of your dog. If you |
| *Always have fresh, clean water available for | | | | have questions or concerns, talk with your |
| your dog. When the human is hot, they need | | | | veterinarian or veterinary technician. |
| hydration. Dogs need hydration too. Have a | | | | |
| large plastic dish (metal gets hot) & leave | | | | Your dog trusts to care for them. Do a good |
| your garden hose slightly running into the | | | | job. The rewards are priceless. |