The heat is on (pun intended) as we enter the dog days of summer. While the scorching temperatures and heat waves, especially in New York City, can be uncomfortable for humans, they can be dangerous for dogs.
Animals are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and dehydration than humans, so taking special precautions is essential to keep them safe during a heat wave.
Here are some tips on how you and your pup can stay cool and avoid danger this summer.
Keep Your Dog Inside As Much As Possible
Like humans, dogs can become dehydrated and malnourished quickly, making them more susceptible to sickness and disease. Keeping your dog inside during the hottest parts of the day can help prevent these conditions and keep them safe from the dangers of scorching outdoor temperatures.
When they are outside, make sure that you keep an eye on them and that they have plenty of fresh water that is shaded to avoid becoming too warm, which can encourage the growth of bacteria.
Provide Plenty Of Fresh Water At All Times
Most of us know that we need eight glasses of water daily, but what about your dog? Surprisingly, the answer is the same.
During hot weather, it’s essential to ensure your pup drinks plenty of water. Dogs can overheat quickly, even on cool days.
Dogs have an entire body of fur or hair, and do not sweat the same way that humans do to cool down. You may not notice because they can’t communicate that they feel hot or uncomfortable.
Make sure that water is always available to them whether they’re inside, outside, or on a walk with you.
Plan Your Walks Accordingly
During the heat of the summer, you will most likely need to switch up your walk schedule. With the current heat stroke taking place in New York City and many other cities, this is more important than ever.
The sidewalk and pavement are, at best, very uncomfortable for your pup to walk on, and, at worst, can cause blisters and burns on your dog’s paw pads.
Plan to walk your dog in the early morning before the heat of the day has set in, or in the evening as it is cooling down. You may even need to try shorter, more frequent walks, as dog’s still overheat quickly and much faster than humans.
Provide Additional Shade And Ventilation
If you have a pet who is sensitive to heat or you live in a scorching climate, you may want to invest in some small fans to keep around the home for extra ventilation.
Alternatively, you can provide your pet with plenty of shade and ensure plenty of airflow in their room. You can also try squeezing water between your dog’s pads to make them cooler. This will provide a cooling effect similar to a pet cooling pad.
Know Which Dogs Are At The Highest Risk
Heat exhaustion affects all dogs, though small dogs can be more vulnerable because they can not cool down as quickly as larger ones.
Suppose your dog is panting excessively, drooling excessively, has trouble breathing, has a very high heart rate, is lethargic, or has red, irritated paws. In that case, they may be at risk of heat exhaustion. If you see these symptoms, you should seek veterinary attention immediately.
You can also help keep your pet cool by providing plenty of fresh water and moving them to a cooler space if possible. You can also try to lower your pet’s body temperature by placing a cool (not ice cold), wet cloth on the back of their neck and monitoring them.
Know And Check For Signs of Overheating Frequently
Dogs can become overheated just like humans do. If left untreated, this can lead to heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when the body’s core temperature rises above 105 degrees.
If your pet shows signs of heat stroke, you should get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Signs of heat stroke in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, and a very high respiratory rate.
You need to act fast when you notice these symptoms and should take your pet to the clinic immediately if they exhibit symptoms of heat stroke.
Use Walkee Paws Dog Boot Leggings
If you want to help protect your dog’s paws during this heat wave, try Walkee Paws Dog Boot Leggings! These are boots attached to leggings designed with a unique over-the-back construction so they stay on comfortably.
The rubber boots are designed to withstand HEAT up to 150°C (302°F) and have rubber grippies on the boots that keep the paws slightly elevated off the hot pavement. They come with adjustable elastic drawstring leg openings to offer a fully customizable fit and can be left open for ventilation during the dog days of summer!
Walkee Paws come in four sizes, and several patterns/ colors to help your pup walk in style and show off their personality without burning their delicate paws.
Final Thoughts
Summer is a beautiful time to enjoy being outside, but it can be dangerous for dogs. During the heat, taking special care of your dogs is essential. You can keep your pet cool and hydrated by providing plenty of shade and water and keeping them indoors whenever possible.
While you may want to take them on walks or let them play in the yard, they could get overheated and become ill or injured if you don’t take precautions.