7 Dog Summer Safety Tips
Stay Hydrated
Indoors and out, provide your dog plenty of fresh water. Encourage them to drink enough by flavoring the water with a little no-salt-added chicken broth (made without onions and garlic) or tossing a few ice cubes in the bowl to chill the water.
Exercise at Dawn and Dusk
How hot is too hot for dogs? Don’t exercise your dog in the heat of the day when temperatures rise. Walking and especially running in hot temperatures increases a dog’s chance of heatstroke or heat exhaustion, and the hot pavement can burn their sensitive paw pads. Schedule walks and other exercise at dawn or dusk when temperatures are cooler, and stick to indoor activities or water play during the hottest part of the day.
Watch for Signs of Heatstroke
Heatstroke occurs when a dog’s body temperature rises to dangerous levels and the dog is unable to cool down by themselves. Educate yourself about the signs of heatstroke in dogs so you can act quickly to help your dog. Heatstroke is an extreme medical emergency. Signs of heatstroke include:
Vigorous panting
Dark red gums or tongue
Tongue hanging far out of the mouth
Lying down
Weakness or dizziness
Vomiting and/or diarrhea
Tremors or seizures
Collapse or loss of consciousness
If you suspect your dog is experiencing heatstroke, move them to a cool place with a fan or air conditioning them and offer cool water. You can wet their body by pouring cool water over them, but don’t submerge their body in water. Aim a fan at them once they are wet to speed up the cooling process, and get to a veterinarian immediately.
