May 25, 2012
Posted in Pet Health

The weather across the nation is starting to heat up and families are preparing to spend more time outdoors. Although being active and outside is a great way to spend downtime, if you have a pooch, there are certain precautions you should take to ensure it stays healthy as the temperature rises.

Car safety

Most dogs would prefer to go for rides to the store or anywhere else with their families rather than get left behind at the house during these outings. Taking the dog along in the spring and fall is fine, but can be dangerous during the winter or summer. This is because the car can get too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer, which can lead to serious medical conditions for your dog.

For safety, only take your pup for a ride in the winter or summer if you're not planning on getting out for long periods, or until your final destination. The temperature in a car can reach 120 degrees plus in a short time, so it's better to be safe than sorry.

Backyard precautions

Dogs, like humans, can get sunburns as well as suffer from heat stroke and exhaustion. Because of this, you should always offer the dog a shaded area in your yard where it can go and cool off when it's too hot. It may be helpful to pick up pet products like the Vari Kennel Fashion Pet Kennel to keep in the yard to offer the dog protection from the heat. Always keep fresh water nearby to allow the dog to quench its thirst as the degrees rise.

Many people enjoy planting gardens and taking care of their yards in the warmer months, but many plant and lawn treatments can be harmful to your four-legged friend. However, there are many pet-friendly options on the market to use, so be sure to select one of these varieties. Summer is also the time when bugs like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes thrive. You'll need to make sure to keep your dog on flea, tick and heartworm preventative pet drugs like Revolution, Frontline Plus or Pet Armor to keep these critters from causing harm to your pup.

Walking tips

All dogs need to get in plenty of exercise, but you may want to switch up your pup's routine during the summer months. Dogs can become overheated easily due to their thick fur, so it may be best to take long walks early in the morning before the sun is fully up and again at night once the sun goes down.

Related posts:

1. Prepare for risks at the dog park
2. Keeping dogs outside or in