Safety Tips for Your Four-Footed Friend in the Summer
Summer time is a fun time for dogs as they tend to get more attention and activity, but it can also be a perilous time, especially if the owner is not careful and conscious of their dog's safety. Most of the things you should do to keep your dog safe and healthy all summer long are common sense, but if you don't do them they can lead to big problems. Here are a few summer safety tips for keeping your dog safe and healthy:
1. Don't let them play by flowers, woodpiles, etc. A dog can get stung by a bee, or bit by a spider just like a human can. Sometimes when people go camping, they tie their dogs by the woodpile, these areas are usually more prone to having spiders and other bugs because they offer places to hide. Be careful that you do not inadvertently put your dog in harms way. In addition, if you see a lot of bees around, keep your dog away, their natural curiosity could lead to a painful sting. If your dog has an allergic reaction, consider medication like Benadryll, and get them in to a vet. A dog can swell up, or react badly just as a human can.
2. Protect them from heat exhaustion and dehydration by keeping them indoors during the hottest parts of the day. Make sure that you provide plenty of protection and shade for them to use when they are outside. Also, keep a water bowl available to them with clean, fresh water. If they drink it all, be sure to fill it. Look for a bowl that is not easily spilled, as this can be a problem for some dogs, you might think they are getting enough water, when reality they are just dumping it out.
3. Don't leave the dog in your car. It does not matter how short of a time period they will be in there, or how much the windows are rolled down, it is unsafe, as the temperature can be extremely hot. Do not put your dog at risk. Putting them in a car in summer is similar to having them in a sauna. It can make them sweat a lot, and lose a lot of hydration, it can also cause many of the symptoms of heat exhaustion.
4. Don't walk them without thought. Keep their feet off hot pavement as it can burn them through their paws. Use the rules of thumb that if you wouldn't walk on it barefoot, don't make your dog walk on it. This can hurt their paws, and leave their skin more sensitive.
5. Be wary of foreign objects. One of the things you have to worry about with dogs are burs, foxtails, and the like. Whenever they have been outside, check their coat, their ears, nose, etc. for thorns, burs, and most importantly foxtails. They can burrow into their skin and cause infection, etc.
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