If your dog is used to being in the yard all day, take heed; heat stroke is an all too common cause of death among the four-legged members of our families. Tweaking your routine for the summer is easier than you think…….
Early morning walks. Exercise is important for your dog’s well-being year round. But hitting the trails in 100+ degrees is not good for either of you. If you usually walk twice a day, leave a little earlier in the morning and extend the walk. Then shorten the evening walk or skip it all together on the hottest of days.
Water, water, and more water. Each morning fill your dog’s water bowl with clean, cool water. As the day heats up, replace the warmer water in outdoor water bowls with fresh, cool water or throw a couple of ice cubes into the bowl. Keeping outdoor bowls in the shade helps as well. Empty the bowl at night and wash it once a week to deter moss growth and mosquitoes.
Too hot for you means too hot for them.Once it hits 110 degrees, let’s face it, no one wants to be outdoors, even in the shade. That is especially true for our furry friends. Dogs cool themselves by panting; replacing their warm body temperature for cool air. When the outside air is not significantly cooler than the dog’s body temperature, their natural cooling system will not work and heat stroke can occur. The desert heat can be brutal and deadly for pets. Bring your dog inside and share the A/C love.
Take the plunge! Most dogs love to swim. If you have a pool, super! If not, setting up a small kiddie pool for them to splash around in (in clean, cool water) is always a treat on warm days. Like the water bowls, empty the pool when not in use to avoid mosquitoes and a slimy green bottom. Tip: keep your dog’s nails trimmed and have a patch kit on hand.
We all scream for ice cream. There is nothing like a frozen treat on a hot day. Dogs think so too. Making frozen doggie treats is easy and your dog will love you even more; if that’s even possible. Dog Tripper has some great recipes for easy to make pooch-smoothies and pupsicles.
Ahhh… Dogs love to lay on cool surfaces. Keeping your dog clean and cool is easier on a Cool Pet Pad; a gel pad that absorbs your dog’s body heat, or Cooleroo Dog Beds; an elevated bed that keeps your dog off the hard ground and allows air to flow beneath their body, keeping them cooler.
A cool dog is a happy, healthy dog.
Tweak away!
Published: September 2013
Client: Vintage Nursery