Summer safety tips to keep your dog cool

As temperatures rise, everyone (and their pets) head outdoors to spend time in the nice weather. But warmer weather can be rough on your pets if you’re not prepared. 

Hot weather-related conditions like heat stroke and dehydration are more common as temperatures rise, so it’s important to pay attention to the signs and use your judgment if it’s safe for your pet to be outdoors.

Have fun in the sun

If you’re spending time outside, set up a resting place in a shaded area, encourage your pets to take breaks when they’re playing, organise a raised bed that allows for airflow underneath, or allow them to rest somewhere in shade with a good breeze. 

When the weather is hot, make sure your pet has plenty of options to stay cool. A dog pool or cooling pet pad also helps to cool off hot dogs.

Protect those cute paws

Walking on hot pavement can cause your pet’s paw pads (or toe beans) to burn. If it hurts to touch the pavement with the back of your hand, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws. Try exercising your pet in the early morning or after the sun goes down to minimize the burn risk. If you need to be outside with your pet during the hottest parts of the day, consider investing in booties that will protect their paw pads from burns and blisters. 

Try to do as much of your walking on grass and dirt, as opposed to sidewalks, hot sand and asphalt (which can get extremely hot!).

Frozen yummy dog treats

You can also create frozen treats with a Kong toy or ice cube mould. It can be as simple as freezing water or broth (without onion or garlic) with yummy treats inside. This also aids in keeping your pet hydrated. We’ve added one of our favourite Pupsicle recipes for you to make up below:

Make sure you tag us on social media if you make this yummy recipe up for your pooch! #myfurbabynz

Car trips during summer

We all know how much our cars turn into a hot sauna during summer! If you’re taking your dog in the car, it’s extremely important to keep your car windows down for lots of fresh, cool airflow if you’re temporarily leaving your dog in a car. If at all possible, take them outdoors with you if the concrete/sand isn’t too hot and leash them in a shady spot with a bowl of drinking water.

The key is hydration

Just like humans, dogs can become dehydrated quickly in hot weather and even a short amount of time outdoors can cause dehydration. Make sure you have plenty of water around the house and bring water (and a bowl) with you if you head outside.

Watch out for the below signs of dehydration:

• Less energy

• Loss of appetite

• Dry nose or gums

• Panting

The myFurbaby team like to pop a few ice cubes into the water bowl during summer for a refreshing drink. You can also boost hydration by feeding your dog canned food or adding water to dry kibble at each meal.

Keep your dog’s weight at a healthy level

Overweight, and senior pets are just some of the groups that are at a higher risk of overheating and getting heatstroke. If your dog is overweight it will overheat faster, so a specific feeding plan is important to ensure your dog stays in tip-top condition, and as cool as possible during summer. 

Help keep the pests away

Spending time outside exposes your pet to more pests that can cause harm. Fleas and ticks thrive during warm temperatures. Make sure your pet is on a good parasite-preventative medication. This includes indoor-only pets too, as pests like fleas and ticks make their way inside through screens and even on the bottom of your shoes. 

Hopefully, these hot weather safety tips will help to ensure your pet stays as cool as possible during the summer months.

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