Table of Contents
Summertime and the livin’s easy… but our dogs don’t always feel the same way. Some of the very things we love the most are, in fact, things we fear the most.
During his most recent podcast, Top Dog Tips' own Connor Knight took some time to talk with BetterVet’s Dr. Lyndsey Kingsley about summer safety for pets and the steps and precautions to take to make our dogs as happy in the summer as we are!
Important note: For any of the warning signs mentioned in this article, we recommend seeking the advice of your veterinarian.
Summer Risks for Dogs (and How to Keep Them Safe)
Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion, and Heatstroke
First and foremost, you know your dog better than anyone.
You know their behaviors, quirks, energy levels, and traditionally, the amount of food and water they consume.
As temperatures rise, energy levels in dogs can naturally decrease. Since dogs sweat through their paws and pant, they don’t cool down as easily as humans, and this can lead to a lack of energy.
You’ll want to be on the lookout for the following, as they could be indicators of heatstroke or heat exhaustion.
Behavior red flags:
- Decreased energy level for a sustained period
- Decreased appetite
- Labored, shallow breathing
- Restlessness
- Increased heart rate
- Excessive drool or frothing at the mouth
- Dizziness
- Disorientation
- Dark, red gums
It’s really important to have a baseline to compare your dog's summer behaviors to, so take note of their common everyday characteristics.
If they experience a significant shift, please get in touch with your veterinarian.
Quick home treatments & preventative measures:
- Chicken or vegetable stock ice cubes in their water bowl
- Kiddie pools
- Hose down
- Cold, frozen towels, bandanas, face cloths on belly and paws
- Cool beds
- Rubber boots for concrete
- Musher’s Secret (or petroleum jelly for paw pads)
RELATED: Heatstroke in Dogs: 20 Ways to Prevent and Treat It
Exercising A Dog In the Summer
Keeping your dog active, both mentally and physically, throughout the year is, of course, extremely important.
But depending on where you live, it affects the amount of outdoor time your dog can and should have in the hotter months.
However, regardless of where that is, it’s extremely important to be mindful of the time of day you bring your dog on their daily walk or trip to the dog park.
It's always best to bookend your days with these excursions, rather than taking them right in the middle of the day.
If you live in a city or neighborhood where you walk your dog on sidewalks, streets, or any other type of paved surface, you want to ensure that their exercise is timed before the tar has had a chance to heat up or after it has cooled.
Get creative and look for grassy or sandy areas for them to play, or bring them to any local dog-friendly swimming areas.
And let's face it, some serious fun can always be made with a hose!
Also, providing them with mental stimulation can be a great way to keep them happy and engaged.
Brain games such as Hide and Seek (toys, treats), dog puzzles (tons of options out there!), or just teaching your dog a new trick (yes, you can!) are great ways to not only keep your dog from suffering boredom, but it’s truly exceptional bonding time.
Stay Active:
- Adjust your outdoor exercise time to avoid heat
- Use the hose!
- Be mindful
RELATED: Can You Overexercise Your Dog? 12 Signs to Watch Out For!
Parasites and Diseases
We happen to be huge fans of summer; there are so many great outdoor activities to take part in, such as frisbee, hiking, dog parks, the beach, and long walks in new and exciting places.
Most of the time, these adventures go off without a hitch, except for the parasites and potential diseases that often accompany them.
At the top of the list, our friends, ticks.
Ticks are not fun. They can be hard to find in our dogs, especially in super furry friends, but tend to be located near the ears, belly, and neck.
Be sure to do a thorough check whenever you come back indoors from an outside adventure, as they can be a source of many problems.
They can carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Rickettsial, and Canine Bartonellosis, which can lead to inflammation of organs.
If you do happen to come upon a tick, you should properly remove or dispose of it, clean the area, and be sure to check the spot for any redness, swelling, or a “bullseye” around the bite.
Please consult your veterinarian if you see any of these indications.
You should also watch out for fleas, porcupines, snakes, and other predators/ parasites that seem to be more active during the warm summer months.
You can learn more about how to best handle dog interactions with these creatures in our podcast.
Eat This, NOT That!
As with any other season, summer prompts great memories of some favorite foods, such as watermelon, ice cream for dinner, corn on the cob, and grilled hot dogs, to name a few.
Since we so enjoy incorporating our dogs into so many of our activities, including our cookouts, we wanted to provide some rules to follow when your pup sidles up to you, with “that” look before you hand over your treasures.
Our veterinary team tends to follow the rule of single-ingredient proteins. Think chicken (not rolling in BBQ sauce), beef, pork, and fish, as a “Yes” for your dog, along with most fruits and vegetables.
Be mindful of avoiding pitted foods like avocados, cherries, and absolutely no grapes, raisins, onions, grapefruit, or garlic.
You’ll also want to avoid the traditional sides at a cookout, such as pasta salad, potato salad, chips of any sort, and sugary sweets.
A great rule of thumb when thinking about what you can and can’t feed your dog is: “Is the food the ingredient?” If the answer is yes, you’re off to a good start.
Just say “No!” to These Foods:
- Grapes, Raisins
- Plums
- Avocado
- Onion
- Garlic
- Bone-in Chicken
- Grapefruit
RELATED: What Human Food Can Dogs Eat?
4th of July and Fireworks
The Summer season is when most dogs go missing, especially during the week of the 4th of July, more than at any other time.
Make sure they are not only chipped but also registered, so that in the event your pup gets lost, they will be able to find their way back to you as quickly as possible.
Speaking of the 4th of July, it is so incredibly common for our four-legged friends to become frightened when there are big, unidentified (to them) sounds coming from outside.
When it comes to fireworks, thunderstorms, and in some parts of the country, gunfire, take some in-home protective measures to keep your pets as comfortable as possible.
Thundershirts, providing shelter in their crates, wrapping them in blankets, and offering calming treats are all great options for relief until peace is restored.
What to Have on Hand:
- Thundershirt (or similar products)
- Cozy stuffed anima
- CBD product for anxiety
Bringing Dogs Along For The Ride?!
Here’s a tip we think shouldn’t even need to be stated, but once the temperatures start to hover over 70°F, please leave your dog at home, where they're more comfortable.
We get it, we all love having our dogs with us at all times, and that includes while we’re out driving around and running errands.
However, on a sunny day, when the temperature is 70 °F outdoors, the temperature inside the car can elevate to 100 °F in just 20 minutes, according to the AKC.
This is dangerous for dogs, even with a window cracked open.
RELATED: Leaving A Dog Inside A Hot Car? Don't Do It!
FAQs for Summer for Dogs
Is summer good for dogs?
Summertime is the perfect chance for you and your pup to hit the beach or pool. If you are going to the beach, make sure their paws are protected!
It's also a great time to enjoy exercise and being outdoors more, as long as you accommodate your dog's needs, such as exercising in shaded areas or at earlier or later parts of the day when the temperature is lower.
How do I take care of my Dog in summer?
The most important thing you can do is make sure they stay hydrated and that you know how to keep dogs cool during the summer.
Here's a quick list of some tips to do that:
- Have damp or cold towels in a cooler for them if you are bringing them with you anywhere outside for a long period
- If you plan to be outside, try to find areas that are shaded. The temperature difference is huge between the non-shaded and the shaded regions.
- If your dog is an outdoor dog, consider having a water-spraying apparatus, such as a sprinkler or hose, to use for cooling them off.
- If you are going to give them water to drink, make sure it is always cold.
Do dogs feel hot in summer?
Yes, but your dog does not cool off the same way you do. They release heat and cool off by panting and sweating through their paw pads and nose.
This means they are not as efficient as we are in cooling off in the heat!
Make sure you have prepared using some of the tips we discussed in the podcast, or this article: 10 Proven Ways to Keep Your Dog Cool in Summer
Summer and Dogs: Before You Go…
Summer is a great opportunity for dogs to spend more time outside. But that comes with some risks.
A dog in hot weather, if not observed, can be at risk of heat exhaustion.
This is why we put together these summer pet safety tips, which, when followed to a T, will make the sunny season safe and enjoyable for you and your pup!
Have you tried any of these tips? Were these helpful? Let us know in the comments about your experience with your pup in the summer!
