- Walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening. Do not walk your dog in the heat of the day as the pavement will be too hot for their paws and can burn them. If you put your hand or bare feet on the pavement and it is too hot for you, it will be too hot for your dog to walk on. Find a shady place in the grass for your dog to relieve her/himself.
- NEVER leave your dog in the car without the air conditioning on. A car can heat up VERY quickly and be deadly to your dog. If you have errands to do on a hot summer day, you may want to leave your dog at home in the a/c.
- Use sunscreen on your dog, especially if they have short hair. There are many brands of pet sunscreen. Dogs can burn and get skin cancer just like us.
- To give your dog exercise on a hot day go to an air-conditioned indoor mall, or a big store like Costco, Lowes, Walmart, etc. for long, cool, safe walks.
- Soak a bandana in cool water and tie it around your dog’s neck.
- Dogs love to frolic around in a kiddy pool or run through a sprinkler. It will be fun for the whole family!
Have fun in the sun this summer, but be aware that too much fun on a hot day can lead to trouble. Keep yourself and your dog safe this summer by limiting your sun exposure on hot days. Here in the desert, it is still quite hot at night even after the sun goes down. Be aware of the signs that your dog may need to take a rest in the a/c. Dog nap anyone?Hope your summer is filled with lots of fun, tail wags, belly rubs, treats and licks! Don’t forget to “paws” and smell the roses. I wish you and your furry family members a fun, safe and happy summer!
Article by Mara Brown – Master Dog Behaviorist. To learn more or improve your relationship with your dog call Mara Brown at 310-467-2334.
