Spending time in the sunny weather with your favorite four-legged friend is one of the best feelings in the world. But being outside during the summer months might present some hidden dangers for your pup. Here are a few key tips to help you keep your dog safe this summer.
Protect Against Harmful Pests
As much as preventing against pests like ticks might seem like a problem that solely affects your dog, the truth is that protecting against these nasty critters helps you, too. After all, a tick only needs to be attached to a host for 36 hours in order to transmit Lyme disease. So while you’re at your annual spring or early summer vet appointment, make sure you’re taking all of your pet’s pest protection options into account. If your pooch has longer fur and loves to be outside, consider keeping them in an area that doesn’t have any tall grass or thick underbrush. These environments are the perfect breeding grounds for ticks and other pests that could harm your dog. Other harmful pests you should be aware of for your pup this summer include:
- Fleas
- Bees and wasps
- Flies
- Mites
- Worms
In this case, the best defense is a good offense. Make sure you’re prepared to ward off these harmful pests before they even have a chance to harm your dog.
Keep Your Dog Cool
Summer is the hottest time of the year, and as uncomfortable as you might be, your dog could be suffering even more. Your pooch is covered in fur and doesn’t have shoes to protect their paws from the hot pavement. You should still aim to help your dog exercise every day with a walk, but make sure you check the pavement temperature before you do so. If you can’t hold your hand to the pavement for 10 whole seconds, it’s too hot for your dog to walk. Consider rescheduling your walks for early in the morning or later in the evening to make sure your dog is safe and cool during their walk.
If you have a backyard, you probably don’t need to worry about hot pavement. But the sun can still contribute to overheating in your pup, so make sure you monitor them while they’re outside. In addition, make sure they have plenty of water to drink and shade to lounge in. Not only can the shade provided by trees keep your dog nice and cool, but it can also even save you money on energy bills. Investing in a kiddie pool is also a great idea for the summer months when you want to spend some time in the backyard with your pup.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Summer means grilling, barbecue, and all manner of other tasty treats. And while treats like grilled chicken or barbecue ribs might be great for humans like us, they’re not so great for dogs. A little bit of plain chicken never hurt anyone, but any meat cooked or served with condiments and any beverages aside from water need to be closely monitored when your dog is around. Some of these substances can be poisonous for dogs. Grapes and raisins, for example, are toxic to dogs. You might think your biggest challenge in keeping your dog healthy is preventing them from drinking out of the toilet. But when almost 22% of homeowners believe their carpet is dirtier than their toilet, keeping crumbs off of the floor might take priority.
Instead of winging it and letting your dog try a few different foods over the summer, make sure you speak with your vet about foods that are good for your dog. Some fruits and vegetables might actually be a nutritious addition to your pup’s diet with your veterinarian’s approval.
Taking care of your dog during the summer months will ensure they stay happy and healthy for many summers to come. Now go enjoy the dog days of summer with your pup!
