How to Protect Dogs from the Summer Heat

Summer is here and that means outdoor fun--but the heat of the day can be detrimental to your dog's health. Dogs have a higher internal temperature than humans and they can get hot very quickly. Outside activities can be fun to share with your family dog; but remember to protect him from the summer heat. If you aren't careful, your dog could suffer from heat exhaustion. Follow these steps to learn more

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Leave your dog at home, not in the car. More dogs die of heat exhaustion in parked cars than in any other situation. The car gets too hot--even if you leave your dog for only a short time.
2. Exercise in the cooler times of day. People love running with their dogs and often think that a dog has no problem handling the heat. This is not true. The risk of heat exhaustion can be reduced by running in the cooler times of the morning or evening. Also avoid hot pavement, which can burn the pads of your dog’s paws.
3. Hydrate your dog. Always carry dog-dedicated water and a foldable water bowl on walks and hikes.
4. Wrap that dog! Wrapping a cool pad or wet bandana around your dog’s neck before heading outside can help her stay cooler and avoid heat exhaustion.
5. Brush your dog. Brushing your dog’s coat often can help decrease the risk of heat exhaustion, especially if your dog has a heavy coat.
6. Keep it cool. During the hot times of the day, keep your dog in safe, cool environment. Provide the dog with plenty of water. Make sure there is always a fresh, cool water supply available for your pet at home.
7. Protect his nose. If you are going to be outside in the sun with your dog, put sunscreen on its nose. It is a part of a dog's body that is not protected by hair and is so very susceptible to sunburn.

Tips & Warnings

• If your dog suffers from heat exhaustion, don’t take her to the vet immediately. The few minutes that it takes to get the dog to the vet can cause further damage. Once the dog’s temperature is reduced and she is cooled, you can check with the vet to see that organ damage did not occur.
• Don’t shave your pet’s coat. The fur protects against sunburn and helps keep the insects away.