It s hard to believe we just entered the official season of Summer on June 21st. Many could feasibly argue we had already entered the scorching season a month ago, it is HOT HOT HOT out there! That being said, we at If It Barks want your four legged friend to enjoy the fun in the sun while staying safe. We have gathered some tips to help your pal beat those oh so sweaty dog days of summer!
1) To Shave or Not to Shave Don t Do It! Many believe the common misconception that your pup must feel cooler after a nice clean shave, however shaving your pup before summer could do more harm than good. A dog s coat works like a thermostat, helping to regulate their body temperature in both hot and cold weather. The undercoat and outer coat form an insulated barrier that keeps the temperature regulated. With no fur, it becomes increasingly difficult for a dog to keep itself warm or cool. A dog cools itself by panting, unlike humans whose bodies use sweating as a cooling mechanism. Their coat does not effect their ability to pant.
But that s not all! Not only does the dogs coat act as the thermostat, it also is an efficient barrier to the sun and protects from harmful UV rays. Dogs have almost no pigment in their skin to ward off these harmful UV rays and are very prone to sunburn and skin cancer think about it :) However if your pup has extremely thick fur, just give him a little scissor trim remembering to keep the hair at least an inch long.
2) Save summer walks for early morning or after the sun goes down if the asphalt gets too hot in the afternoon. A good way to check is to place your hand or bare foot on the ground and if you can t keep it down for a few seconds, chances are it s too hot for your dog. There are special dog shoes to protect their pads from the hot asphalt, but keep in mind that dogs release sweat from their paws to cool off, so only use shoes for a brief walk during hot weather, otherwise heat stroke could set in.
3) Buy a spill-proof or elevated water bowl to ensure that your dog doesn t knock it over while you re gone, especially if she s outside in hot weather. Also, be sure to keep it in the shade. You can also add a few ice cubes to the water bowl that will melt during your absence and keep the water colder.
4) A kiddie pool can be a nice clean place for your dog to cool off rather than rolling around in the dirt. Set up a little pool, your pal will feel as though you ve sent him on vacation!
5) Apply sunscreen to your dog s ear tips, bridge of the nose and skin around the lips if necessary. Those with light-colored noses and fur are especially vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer.
6) Be careful not to allow your pooch to drink too much ocean or pool water which can make him ill.
7) Salt and other sea minerals can cause damage to Fido s coat. Make sure to rinse him off with fresh water after any dip in the ocean.
8) Mosquitoes can transmit heartworm disease in dogs. Check with your veterinarian about heartworm preventative which is normally administered orally every month, once the dog tests negative for heartworms.
9) Certain plants, plant food, fertilizer and insecticides can be toxic or even fatal if ingested. Same for citronella candles, oils and lighter fluid. Lighter fluid can also be harmful if inhaled, as well as irritate your dog s skin.
10) NEVER NEVER NEVER leave your pup in your parked car. If you need to run into the hardware store for a few minutes, take Fido home first. A study done through Stanford University showed an outdoor reading of 72 degrees can result in a temp of 116 degrees inside a parked car within one hour. Cracking the windows made little difference. Think how hot that same car will become within minutes on a hot day.
Keeping these tips in mind can help lead to a safe and very fun summer for your beloved friend and yourself. Stay Cool!
Lots of Licks
References::
Maroff, Melissa. How to Keep a Dog Safe During Summer. EHow. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June 2011. .
Manning, Sue. How to Make Your Dog s Days of Summer Safer. Associated Press. Associated Press, 14 June 2011. Web. 17 June 2011. .
How to Make Your Dog s Days of Summer Safer. It s The Dog s Life. N.p., 10 May 2011. Web. 17 June 2011. .
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