All About Hot Dogs

As I’m sitting here trying to figure out what to blog about next, my eye keeps wandering over to my dog who seems to be panting profusely with this new wave of warm weather. The two of us lived in Texas, so I’m well aware of how much heat she can handle before we need to take it easy, but it’s still good to know about the different ways I can keep her safe as the temperature rises as well as amenities I can provide to keep her happy and comfortable.

​It’s no surprise that with a large number of people being forced to stay at home, sometimes all alone, that the number of dogs in shelters has gone down dramatically. This is a great relationship, but it also means that many people are spending their first Summer with their furry friends and may not be fully aware of some of the dangers that come with increased daily temperatures. Just like us, dogs get tired, dehydrated and over-heated. Some dogs are even susceptible to sunburns! Here are a few tips and tricks to keep your four-legged (or less) companion happy and healthy all Summer long.

​Car Safety

​Never leave you dog in the car! This may seems like it gets repeated over and over and over again, but the dangers of a hot car cannot be emphasized enough when it comes to both human and dog safety. Even on days that don’t seem that warm, our cars create a greenhouse effect. This means that the sunlight coming into our cars gets absorbed by our seats, dashboards, etc. and then they radiate heat back into the car that becomes trapped inside. A lot of heat comes into our cars, but not much actually leaves the vehicle. This is why even on cool days, if the sun is out, it can sometimes be a pleasant surprise to get into a car that has been sitting somewhere without shade. The heat isn’t leaving! Even having the windows a crack is not enough for all of this heat to escape safely.
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​There are ways to reduce how much heat is absorbed by your car, but when it comes to the lives of our furry friends the safest and best option is to just not leave them in the car at all. In Massachusetts, not only is it illegal to leave your dog in a car unattended, but it is also legal to enter a vehicle if it is “reasonably necessary to prevent imminent danger or harm to the animal” that is in a car.

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Constant Water Supply

​No matter where your dog is, make sure they have access to fresh water. This often means having a bowl in the house and a bowl outside in the yard. If you do have multiple sources of water around your house, be sure to keep them clean and refill them daily. When we leave water outside for long periods of time, it becomes a great place for insect larvae to grow, especially mosquitos. Water left in the sun can also become home to harmful algae that can make our dogs sick.

Available water is also important to consider when you are traveling and hiking. If you are driving somewhere, it may not be practical to have an open container of water, but make sure that you are frequently offering water to your pet. The same goes for hiking. When packing supplies for the day, account for the water that you will need as well as the water that your dog will need. We can’t always rely on natural water sources to be suitable for drinking, so it’s important to be prepared.

 
Here is a list of water bottles just for your dog that will make it almost impawsible to leave the house without proper hydration: https://petlifetoday.com/best-dog-travel-water-bottles/

Another great idea for keeping your dog calm and cool in the summertime is to fill a kiddie pool with water. Of course, not everyone is going to have the space or means to do this, but if it’s something that is an option for you and your furry friend it’s a great way to provide a little oasis right at home!

​Keeping Cool

Making sure your pet has a place outside to cool off is very important. A spot to lay down under a tree or even an umbrella will give them somewhere to relax and bring down their temperature. It’s also very important that you don’t over exercise your dog on hot days. Dogs don’t often know when they’ve had enough of the heat, especially if they are high energy dogs. It’s up to you to know when they need a break.

Another thing to consider when walking your dog is the temperature of the asphalt on the road and on the sidewalks. If it is too hot for you to touch, it is too hot for your dog. Walking on hot asphalt can burn the pads of your dog’s feet. You can avoid this by seeking out places to walk on grass or even buy doggie booties to keep them safe. If you are someone who usually walks your dog in the middle of the day, it can be helpful to adjust your schedule so that you are walking during the cooler times of the day.

You can also consider giving your dog a haircut in the Summer months. You’ll want to consult your veterinarian about this. Some dogs have thick coats that actually act as insulators and can keep the cool air in, so you’ll want to see if your breed of dog will benefit from a haircut or if it is better to leave them unshaved.

Additional Resources

If you are looking for additional resources on how to keep your dog safe and healthy during the Summer months, check out these great websites. Not only will they talk about temperature considerations, but also things like fleas, ticks, and anything else you may have questions about:

• ​8 things you can do to protect your dog this summer
• American Kennel Club Summer Safety Tips​
• Purina Caring for your dog in Summer
• ASPCA Hot Weather Safety Tips
• Global Animal Tips to Keep Your Pets Cool