Dog Summer Safety Guide - Keep Your Dog Safe In The Heat
In most places in the country, the temperature is really starting to heat up - if you’re a dog owner make sure you follow our dog summer safety guide to keep your pooch happy in the heat!
Why Does Dog Summer Safety Matter?
First of all, heat and dogs are usually not a very good mix. Overheating with dogs can cause great consequences and even death. The American Kennel Club listed information on its site about dogs and heat stroke:
“Heatstroke can be the serious and often fatal result of a dog's prolonged exposure to excessive heat. Below are the signs of heatstroke and the actions you should take if your dog is overcome.
Early Stages:
Heavy panting.
Rapid breathing.
Excessive drooling.
Bright red gums and tongue.
Standing 4-square, posting or spreading out in an attempt to maintain balance.
Advanced Stages:
White or blue gums.
Lethargy, unwillingness to move.
Uncontrollable urination or defecation.
Labored, noisy breathing.
Shock.
If your dog begins to exhibit signs of heatstroke, you should immediately try to cool the dog down:
Apply rubbing alcohol to the dog's paw pads.
Apply ice packs to the groin area.
Hose down with water.
Allow the dog to lick ice chips or drink a small amount of water.
Offer Pedialyte to restore electrolytes.
Check your dog's temperature regularly during this process. Once the dog's temperature has stabilized at between 100 to 102 degrees, you can stop the cool-down process.”
Be Aware of the Hazards of Heat // Dog Summer Safety Tips
Dog summer safety is all about being aware of your dog and heat indicators. Here are some tips on how to avoid heat related problems with your dog:
- Never leave a dog in the car on a hot day even if the windows are rolled down. Without the aide of air conditioning care temperatures can rise into the hundreds in a matter of moments.
- When outside, ensure that your dog has adequate access to shade, drinking water and wading water to cool their body temperature down
- Remember that many dogs can get sunburned! So if you’re outside or at the beach, be aware that your dog can not spend limitless time in the sun.
- If you’re traveling, make frequent stops, make sure your dog has access to water and is in a well ventilated traveling case or part of the vehicle.
Dog Summer Safety Hacks
Collapsible Dog Bowl
This is a great tool to use anywhere, anytime to give your dog water and keep them safe in the heat. These nifty collapsible dog bowls collapse down and can even attach to key chains. You simple open them to use whenever and wherever needed.
Water Bottle For Dogs
If you want to combine the water with the water receptacle - a dog water bottle might be your best bet. These water bottles keep your dog’s water filtered and safe and also have a spout at the end that the dog can actually drink out of on the spot.
Mini Pool For Dogs
A dog pool is a great option for anywhere you go that is hot. Whether that be the mountains, the beach or your own backyard! Simply having a small pool of water for your dog to periodically wade into and cool down will keep their body temperature down and keep them safe in the heat.
Small Dog Tents
Whether you like to camp, go to the park, beach or just need some extra shade in your yard - a dog tent might be right for you! Consequently, these breathable, collapsible handy tools keep your dog cool and protected from rain or shine in the great outdoors.
Check out the Keylock Storage Blog for more interesting articles about organization and lifestyle: keylockstorage.com/blogs
