Now that summer’s finally here, it’s time to relax and enjoy the warm weather with your dog. While doing so, however, you need to pay attention to how the heat is affecting your pet and take measures to cool it down if necessary. Here are a few tips for helping your pet beat the heat:
- If possible, only walk or exercise with your dog in the early morning or after the sun goes down. This way, your pet won’t be exposed to the intense midday heat.
- Fill a children’s swimming pool with a few inches of water, place it in the shade, and let your pooch go for a swim to cool down on steamy days.
- When it’s extremely hot, put out multiple bowls of water in shady areas for your dog. If desired, you can also add a few ice cubes to the water to make it even more refreshing for your pet.
- Be sure to only let your dog in the sun for a short period of time. Though dogs love to sunbathe for hours, excessive sun exposure can increase your pet’s risk for skin cancer and cause it to overheat.
- If your dog has long hair, consider getting it cut short for the summer.
- Remember that dogs with dark hair absorb more heat than dogs with light hair and are therefore more sensitive to hot weather.
- Most importantly, NEVER leave your dog in a hot car with the windows up. Pets can suffer from heat stroke and die in a matter of minutes when exposed to high temperatures.
When your dog is in the heat or has been recently, watch for the following dangerous symptoms:
- Vomiting or drooling
- Heavy panting
- Extreme fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Difficulty breathing
If your pet displays any of these behaviors, move it to a cool place immediately, spray it with water, and wipe its paws with cold water until it seems to have recuperated. Then, get your dog to a vet immediately for an examination. Even if your dog seems fine after you’ve cooled it down, there may still be hidden issues that can lead to internal damage later on if left untreated.
From all of us here at Top Tails Dog Walking & Pet Sitting, we hope that you and your dog have a great summer! Don’t forget that we offer a variety of services to assist you when you’re away and need someone to take care of your pet(s). To get in touch with our top-rated Manayunk pet sitters and learn more about us, simply call 215-508-1903 or fill out the contact form on our website.
In addition, visit our blog for even more tips on how to help your pet beat the heat. You can also get information on keeping your cat cared for while you travel this summer. Thanks for reading and stay cool!