Summer Safety Tips for You and Your Pups
We hope you and your dogs have been enjoying a fun and exciting summer! Everyone loves the spring and summer months as they give us a little extra time to get outdoors and have some fun in the sun. Even if you and your furry friends don’t get the opportunity to take a little vacation, there are plenty of dog-friendly locations around Central Florida for you and your pups to play and explore. Orlando Weekly compiled this great list, if you need a few ideas!
As you enjoy the summer months, there are a few safety precautions you should keep in mind so you and your dogs can have the best time possible. Here are a handful of suggestions to help you have safe fun in the sun:
Take care not to let your dog walk on hot sidewalks or asphalt. Since you’re almost always wearing shoes outside, you probably don’t realize just how hot the pavement can get. Studies show that when the outside temperature hits 86 or 87 degrees, asphalt can clock in at over 130 degrees - and here in Central Florida, we’re regularly seeing temperatures above 90 degrees. Surfaces that hot can easily burn your dog’s feet, causing pain and blistering or worse. As a rule of thumb, if the pavement is too hot for you to leave your hand there for five seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Be sure to help your dog stay hydrated, and get familiar with the signs of overheating. Dog’s can’t sweat like we can - they pant and drink water to help regulate their body temperature. When your dog is playing with its friends, it may not be getting the hydration it needs to stay happy. Try to encourage your dog to drink a little bit of water at frequent intervals, rather than a lot all at once. If you notice that your dog has wobbly legs, is drooling a lot, or is vomiting, they may be suffering from overheating and need to see a vet right away. For more information on keeping your dog hydrated, check out our blog here.
Your dogs need sunscreen, too! Dogs with shorter hair and lighter colored coats are especially susceptible to sunburn and associated skin cancers that come with it. Make sure you at least apply sunscreen to the areas of your dog where skin is exposed, like nose and bellies. Your vet should be able to recommend a dog-friendly sunscreen formula for your pup.
Having fun in the sun is quite possible with the right precautions! For more great pet health and safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.