Safety Tips for Your Dog in Hot Weather
Hot weather can be dangerous for your dog if you don’t protect him. A dog should never be left outside in the heat without some form of shade or shelter to cool off. In fact, when temperatures are extremely hot, it’s good to let your dog in the basement, at least if he’s not a domestic dog. Below are some more warm weather tips for your dog.
Although you should always make sure your dog has water available to drink, this goes double in hot weather. Always have plenty of water if you are out and about with your dog in the heat. This way you can have a drink whenever you need it. There are portable water units being sold today to make watering your dog easy.
You shouldn’t leave your dog in an enclosed, unventilated RV while you’re out for the day in the summer. Even if your camper has electricity hooked up and a working air conditioner, it’s unexpected to leave your dog alone in it. The electricity could go out and then the caravan becomes a very hot box! Your dog could die, it has happened.
As with the camper, don’t leave your dog alone in the hot car while you go shopping. Dogs can get heat stroke just like humans. Just as children have died in hot cars, dogs can too.
Don’t overtire your dog in hot weather. Exercise it in the cool of the day instead of the hottest part of the day. This is a great way to keep the dog safe from heat exhaustion. You can even exercise the dog more frequently during the summer months for short periods of time instead of one long exercise period. Again, make sure the dog has enough water to drink before and after exercising.
If you’re taking your dog to outdoor events, make sure it’s on a leash. Some areas have laws about this anyway. But this will prevent the dog from getting overly excited and possibly into mischief. Getting too excited can also make the dog overheated and exhausted.
In addition to protecting your dog from the heat, make sure he has flea and tick protection. Since you’ll be out in nature more in the hot months, your dog is more likely to encounter ticks and fleas. There are many convenient methods for this type of prevention available today.
Follow these tips and your dog will be safe no matter how hot it is this summer. Remember that your dog is part of your family and he must be cared for as such. You want your dog to be healthy for years to come. This will only happen if he gets the kind of care and attention he needs. Enjoy your precious pet and the pleasant summer heat, but do it safely.