"A dog is one of the remaining reasons why some people can be persuaded to go for a walk." -O.A. Battista
Lately, I can't stop looking up at the sky in absolute awe. It's GORGEOUS outside, y'all. Blue skies, sunshine, the occasional billowy cloud. Flawless. As we move closer to Summer, though, the weather is definitely warming up. As a matter of fact, I just blew the (metaphorical) dust off of my shorts drawer the other day. And while humans can reduce the surface area of our clothing in hot weather, dogs have no such luxury. Thus, it's crucial that we understand how to keep our dogs safe in warmer weather.
Obviously, dogs should be kept hydrated at all times, no matter what the weather may be. Especially in hot weather, a dog's fur coat makes it more difficult to keep cool, so you will notice that they will drink more water than usual. This is why you should always carry water when you are out with your fur baby. If you are outdoorsy and love taking your dog for long walks and hikes, don't forget the water! There are so many travel bowl options available, and along with a water bottle, they can be a saving grace.
As mentioned previously in my blog about dog parks, some have water on site, but if they don't, be sure to bring your own. Here at Tails Up, we reuse empty milk and water jugs to carry water to the parks-- upcycling while hydrating, a double win! Find out more about which local parks have water available in my blog here: http://tailsuppetcare.com/tails-up-blog/my-favorite-dog-parks
Carrying water and a bowl, along with poop bags, a Chuck-it, balls, and treats can be a pain, so do what several of our handlers do: put it all in a backpack (it's a lifesaver). A backpack leaves hands free for petting, poop pick-up, and leashes. You can hook your bag over the fence at the park and have all the necessities handy, or transport everything easily on your hike.
When you have a dog, it's impossible to completely avoid the outdoors, since dogs aren't potty trained and do need exercise. But there are ways to circumvent the worst of the heat. Firstly, avoid the hottest times of the day; exercise in the morning or evening. In the Summer, the day really starts to get warmer at noon, and generally reaches it's peak temperature between 3 and 4:30 p.m. In other words, in some areas, that's when you could fry an egg on the sidewalk! And speaking of sidewalks, their temperature should be tested in hot weather. Paws are sensitive to heat, and if it's too hot for you to keep the back of your hand on it for 5 seconds, it's too hot for your pooch! Choose play areas and trails that have some shade for cooling off; both humans and dogs will be glad. Earlier I mentioned those pesky fur coats, which are awesome in the Winter, but a bear in the Summer. If possible, get your dog a “Summer cut” at the groomer. I know, I know, their full coat, in some cases, may be prettier, but you will notice a difference in your dog's comfort when they have less fur in the heat.
This next item is so important, it deserves its own paragraph: don't leave your dog in the car in hot weather. Let me stress that there are no circumstances, short of having the air conditioning blasting, where leaving a dog in a hot car is okay. Not even with the windows down. It may seem that rolling the windows down will cool off your car and provide a breeze, but it won't. This video is the perfect demonstration of that:
http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-checkups-preventive-care/how-hot-does-it-get-a-parked-car-ask-dr-ernie-ward
Now I'm not saying that if you forgot something in the house that you can't quickly run back in to get it without unloading the dog. But that's pretty much it, and here's why: it can take just a few minutes for a car to get extremely hot, even deadly. If it's 90 degrees outside, after 10 minutes in your car the temperature will easily be 109 degrees. Now keep in mind that 109 degrees to you and I is just REALLY hot, but imagine with with a fur coat and without the ability to sweat! It's really unimaginable, and truly dangerous for your pet. Check out this chart, it will give you a better idea of how hot your car can get:
Lately, I can't stop looking up at the sky in absolute awe. It's GORGEOUS outside, y'all. Blue skies, sunshine, the occasional billowy cloud. Flawless. As we move closer to Summer, though, the weather is definitely warming up. As a matter of fact, I just blew the (metaphorical) dust off of my shorts drawer the other day. And while humans can reduce the surface area of our clothing in hot weather, dogs have no such luxury. Thus, it's crucial that we understand how to keep our dogs safe in warmer weather.
Obviously, dogs should be kept hydrated at all times, no matter what the weather may be. Especially in hot weather, a dog's fur coat makes it more difficult to keep cool, so you will notice that they will drink more water than usual. This is why you should always carry water when you are out with your fur baby. If you are outdoorsy and love taking your dog for long walks and hikes, don't forget the water! There are so many travel bowl options available, and along with a water bottle, they can be a saving grace.
As mentioned previously in my blog about dog parks, some have water on site, but if they don't, be sure to bring your own. Here at Tails Up, we reuse empty milk and water jugs to carry water to the parks-- upcycling while hydrating, a double win! Find out more about which local parks have water available in my blog here: http://tailsuppetcare.com/tails-up-blog/my-favorite-dog-parks
Carrying water and a bowl, along with poop bags, a Chuck-it, balls, and treats can be a pain, so do what several of our handlers do: put it all in a backpack (it's a lifesaver). A backpack leaves hands free for petting, poop pick-up, and leashes. You can hook your bag over the fence at the park and have all the necessities handy, or transport everything easily on your hike.
When you have a dog, it's impossible to completely avoid the outdoors, since dogs aren't potty trained and do need exercise. But there are ways to circumvent the worst of the heat. Firstly, avoid the hottest times of the day; exercise in the morning or evening. In the Summer, the day really starts to get warmer at noon, and generally reaches it's peak temperature between 3 and 4:30 p.m. In other words, in some areas, that's when you could fry an egg on the sidewalk! And speaking of sidewalks, their temperature should be tested in hot weather. Paws are sensitive to heat, and if it's too hot for you to keep the back of your hand on it for 5 seconds, it's too hot for your pooch! Choose play areas and trails that have some shade for cooling off; both humans and dogs will be glad. Earlier I mentioned those pesky fur coats, which are awesome in the Winter, but a bear in the Summer. If possible, get your dog a “Summer cut” at the groomer. I know, I know, their full coat, in some cases, may be prettier, but you will notice a difference in your dog's comfort when they have less fur in the heat.
This next item is so important, it deserves its own paragraph: don't leave your dog in the car in hot weather. Let me stress that there are no circumstances, short of having the air conditioning blasting, where leaving a dog in a hot car is okay. Not even with the windows down. It may seem that rolling the windows down will cool off your car and provide a breeze, but it won't. This video is the perfect demonstration of that:
http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-checkups-preventive-care/how-hot-does-it-get-a-parked-car-ask-dr-ernie-ward
Now I'm not saying that if you forgot something in the house that you can't quickly run back in to get it without unloading the dog. But that's pretty much it, and here's why: it can take just a few minutes for a car to get extremely hot, even deadly. If it's 90 degrees outside, after 10 minutes in your car the temperature will easily be 109 degrees. Now keep in mind that 109 degrees to you and I is just REALLY hot, but imagine with with a fur coat and without the ability to sweat! It's really unimaginable, and truly dangerous for your pet. Check out this chart, it will give you a better idea of how hot your car can get:
If you are concerned that your dog is overheated and/ or dehydrated, here are some signs to look out for:
Summer can be a great time to have a dog, especially for those who get lots of vacation time to enjoy playing with their fur babies. So have fun in the sun.....AND the shade! And keep water at the ready.
http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/caring-for-your-dog/dehydration-and-overheating.htmlhttps://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/summer.aspxhttps://sciencing.com/what-is-the-hottest-time-of-the-day-12572821.html
- glassy eyes
- frantic panting
- discolored gums: Press your finger to his gums until they turn white. If gums don't return to normal color immediately, your dog could be dehydrated.
- poor skin elasticity: Gently pull the skin at the back of your dog's neck, and release it. If it doesn't spring back into normal position right away, he could be dehydrated.
- sunken eyes
- dry mouth
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- convulsing
Summer can be a great time to have a dog, especially for those who get lots of vacation time to enjoy playing with their fur babies. So have fun in the sun.....AND the shade! And keep water at the ready.
http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/caring-for-your-dog/dehydration-and-overheating.htmlhttps://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/summer.aspxhttps://sciencing.com/what-is-the-hottest-time-of-the-day-12572821.html
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