Summer is almost here, and we look forward to spending more time outside with our dogs. Whether camping, hiking, swimming, running, or whatever else you favor. It is always more fun when you bring your furry friends along. However, there are considerations to keep in mind so our adventures stay safe and fun.
Avoid Dehydration on the Go
People and dogs need enough water in the summer heat. But dogs have it harder than we do in the sun, as they can’t sweat—except in some negligible way through their paws. Dogs need to ventilate and cool their bodies in other ways—the most important being panting. When our dog’s tongue hangs out and it heavily pants, it is trying to cool its body by ventilation. If it gets too hot, that might not work, and it can suffer a heat stroke. So we need to ensure our dogs don’t get too hot in the summer sun and always have shade and plenty of water to escape the heat—it’s better for us too.
Fresh and Cool Water at Home
We also need to keep the water fresh and chilled inside and outside the house. If our dogs live primarily outdoors, refreshing and replenishing their water supply several times a day is a good idea. We also need to check and avoid algae growth in their water bowls, as that can lead to severe infections and illnesses. In addition, it would cost us plenty in vet bills. Pet watering systems that take the work out of remembering and refreshing the water are available in pet stores and online.
Shelter from the Sun
Dogs need shelter from the sun, just like us. Some breeds also don’t have thick enough fur to protect their skin, so they can get sunburned, leading to skin cancer. If our dogs don’t have enough protection outside, we need to help them by providing shelter, applying an effective natural sunscreen—look for dog sunscreens—or simply letting them into our air-conditioned homes. Outside fans can help with the heat to some degree.
Doggy Pools
A fun thing to have in the yard are small doggy pools we can fill with fresh, cool water. Doggy pools are just big enough to give our friends a comfortable body of water to lie in and cool off. Remember how much fun it is to dive into a refreshing pool in the summer heat? Our dogs enjoy it just the same, and it helps them stay cool and healthy.
Cars
You should never leave your dogs unattended in a car. This is especially important in the summertime, which is now illegal in many states. Even five minutes in the scorching summer heat inside a car can be too much for some dogs. To avoid accidents, injuries, or worse, we must always bring our dog when we leave our car in the sun.
Parasites and Pests
When we spend more time outdoors with our dogs, they also face more exposure to the various parasites and pests in our environment. Always check your dogs for ticks and fleas and use preventative measures to avoid them in the first place. A natural way to protect our dogs from ticks and fleas is to add a little bit of powdered garlic to their food—research usage and dosage. Mosquitos can transmit heartworm disease, which is quite nasty but easily preventable—a natural preventative is Noni Fruit Leather (avail. on Amazon.com) added to their food daily.
You also want to keep your furry friends away from skunks—they really stink—and snakes. For the latter, it’s a good idea to take your dogs to a rattlesnake avoidance class to teach them to leave snakes alone. If you live in a rural area, you probably have plenty of rattlesnakes. Keep Benadryl on hand. Benadryl has the same effect as the rattlesnake vaccine without the side effects. It also works better as the rattlesnake vaccine has many risks and limitations. Stings and bites from insects such as bees, wasps, scorpions, and spiders are also risks to keep in mind.
Events
When we take our dogs to outdoor or indoor events, we need to ensure they can safely attend and have shade and plenty of water. It is always best to assume that no water will be available for our dog and bring enough water and doggy bowls. If you are not sure if an event is dog friendly and you can’t find out for sure, it might be better to leave your friend at home. If necessary, hire a pet sitter.
Summer Dog Products
Several products designed to keep your dogs cooler in the summertime are available in pet stores and on Amazon. Some of these are Cooling Vests, Cooling Collars, Cooling Beds, and Kennel Cooling Fans.
Please also check out our detailed article on Hiking with Dogs for more outdoor tips.
