Top 10 ways to keep your dog cool this summer
Keeping your dog cool in this sweltering summer heat can help prevent consequences such as dehydration, heat stroke, or even death as a result. From giving your dog a haircut to limiting the amount of time you let him spend outdoors, there are plenty of easy ways to keep your dog safe and cool this summer. Here are my top ten.
1. Provide your pet with unlimited access to clean water. Dogs need plenty of water during the summer to stay well hydrated. If you want to keep your dog’s water cool and refreshing, consider putting some ice cubes in his water bowl.
two. Never leave your dog in a parked vehicle. Studies show that the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise to over 120 degrees in a matter of minutes. Not only is it dangerous to leave your dog alone in a parked vehicle, but in some states it is also illegal.
3. Keep your dog’s hair short during the summer. Dogs that sport thick coats during the summer are at higher risk for heat exhaustion. By keeping your dog’s hair short, you will prevent him from overheating. You can choose to cut your dog’s hair yourself or take it to a professional groomer. If you decide to cut your dog’s hair yourself, you will have to be very careful. Cutting too much hair will leave your dog’s skin unprotected and exposed to the sun’s hot and damaging rays.
Four. To refresh the water on your pet on a regular basis. Fill a pitcher or bucket with cold water and slowly pour it over your dog’s entire body. Pay special attention to your dog’s paws. Dogs sweat through their paws. Pouring water on it is one of the easiest ways to keep it cool and safe when it’s hot outside.
5. Place your dog’s playpen in a shaded area outside. If your property doesn’t provide enough shade for your dog, you can always place a tarp or sheet over or along the side of the pen to provide shade.
6. Put a small pool in your dog’s playpen. A plunge pool will not only provide you with an extra supply of water, it will also give you a chance to cool off. You can purchase a small pool for your dog at home and garden supply stores. They usually don’t cost more than twenty dollars.
7. Avoid walking your pet in the afternoon. If you want to keep your dog cool and protected from the summer heat, consider taking him for a morning or evening walk when it’s relatively cooler.
8. Bring your dog indoors on extremely hot summer days and nights. If your dog is old or overweight, consider keeping Fido indoors permanently. Old, overweight dogs can’t handle the summer heat as well as young, healthy ones.
9. Limit the amount of time you let your pet spend outdoors. Walking or exercising with your dog is a great way to control the amount of time you allow him to spend outdoors.
10 Apply sunscreen to your dog accordingly. Just like humans, dogs can get sunburned. If your dog’s nose and ears are soft or your dog’s coat is thin, you may need to apply sunscreen before letting him venture outdoors. You can buy dog-friendly sunscreen at pet stores or at your holistic vet’s office.