Summer

The warm weather is here, and along with it comes not only fun in the great outdoors, but seasonal challenges for keeping our pups happy and safe.

Let’s discuss some classic summertime situations that can cause anxiety in our dogs or even create unsafe environments. Read on to learn more!

1. Excessive Heat – In the hot weather, it is imperitive that we stay aware of our dog’s comfort level and temperature. Especially with brachycephalic (short snouted) dogs, like Pugs or French Bulldgs, just to name a few. Short snouted dogs are susceptible to over-heating in the warm weather. With any dog, be sure to provide plenty of downtime, shade, cool places to lounge, and fresh water at all times in the summer. Being mindful of your dog’s environment and activity level is an important factor in avoiding over-heating or heat stroke. For brachycephalic dogs, the weather doesn’t even need to be terribly hot to cause over-heating. Be generous with breaks during excercise and keep walks short for these cuties.

2. Tunderstorms and Fireworks – Ah the dreaded noise-booms. If your dog tends to become anxious or fearful during thunderstorms or fireworks, consider acclimating him to a safety zone or “bunker” where he can go to relax during these loud events. Choose a room that is comfortable for your dog and includes a comfy bed, toys, treats, and soft music or a white noise machine. Some dogs even like to burrow into a small space like a closet or a “fort” like a little tent or crate covered in blankets. I personally also like to have a plan in place for extremely bad weather which includes a protocol for getting pets to a safe area like a basement or a room away from windows. This can come in handy when the weather is particularaly fierce.

3. Water – Dogs are a blast to watch when they play in water! Swimming is a great low-impact exercise for dogs and a perfect way to cool off on a hot day. If swimming in a natural area, be sure your dog has a good recall or is on a long line for safety. Your dog can even wear a cute life vest with a shark fin on it – just an idea, but send me pictures if it happens. Check to be sure the water is safe – it’s a good idea to be aware if some types of algae are blooming, as they can cause extreme illness or even death in dogs and other animals. It is also recommended to be sure dogs are not swallowing excessive amounts of water as they play, to prevent serious medical issues.

Regardless of the time of year, being prepared to help your dog in an emergency is always a good idea. Consider putting together a pet first-aid kit. This can include any medications your dog takes, allergy medicines like Benadryl if appropriate, gauze and bandaging materials, nail trimmers, sterile water to clean wounds, Neosporin, styptic powder, and more. Check out the Red Cross’s suggestions for more ideas.

Enjoy this beautiful time of year with your pups and have great adventures! Stay safe, and HAVE FUN!