Do the dog days of summer have you looking for ways to beat the heat? Don’t forget that your four-legged friends need to cool down too. Soaring temperatures can spell trouble for pets, resulting in everything from sunburn to heatstroke. Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep pets cool and comfortable. Here are four ways you can make sure the only hot dog you have this summer is the kind that comes in a bun!
1. Provide Plenty of Water
To stay healthy and hydrated in the heat, dogs need constant access to cool, clean water. Place water bowls in multiple locations and be sure to check them frequently. Having trouble getting your dog to drink? Try switching from a metal bowl to a glass one. Some dogs avoid drinking from metal bowls because they fear the noise they make. Adding a little water to dry food is another easy way to boost hydration. Get a Perpetual Well Automatic Dog Water Bowl.
2. Protect Paws from Heat
You wouldn’t walk barefoot on hot concrete, and neither should your pooch. Walk your dog in the evening when it’s cooler outside and stay on grassy surfaces. Dog booties and balms or waxes can also keep paws burn-free during walks by creating a barrier between hot pavement and paws.
3. Make It a Shave-Free Summer
If you think that shaving off all that hot hair will help your dog cool down, think again: hair protects dogs from sunburn and insulates them from the heat. Brush pets well in the summer and skip the shaves until temperatures drop.
4. Keep Pets Safe at Home
Your dog can be in your bed, in your lap, and in your heart, but when it’s hot outside, your dog should not be in your car. It’s never safe to leave a dog in a hot car–not even with the window cracked, not even with the air conditioning running, not even for a second. The temperature inside of a parked car can rise to dangerous levels in a matter of seconds, so run errands solo and let your pooch stay safe and sound at home.
When temperatures soar this summer, keep your dog safe and comfortable so you can enjoy each other’s company for many summers to come.
Four Ways to Help Canine Companions Beat the Heat
