To protect your dogs from hot weather hazards, please follow these tips :
1. Never leave your dogs in a parked car. Even cracked windows won’t protect them from overheating or suffering from heat stroke during hot summer days.
2. Exercise your dogs in the early morining or evening hours, instead of during the middle of the day when it’s hottest.
3. If your dogs are out during the day, remember that asphalt and concrete can get very hot and burn the pads of their feet. Your dogs must always have shelter available to protect it from extreme temperatures and inclement weather. Be aware that older and overweight dogs, as well as flat-faced breeds such as Pugs and Bulldogs are more likely to overheat in hot weather.
4. Keep your pet away from unfamiliar yards and grassy areas as many people treat their lawns with pesticides and fertilizers, which can cause servere intestinal upset in dogs when ingested. Some types of mulch can also be hazardous.
5. Provide your pet with fresh, cool water every day in a tip-proof bowl.
6. Keep your dogs well grommed, but resist the temptation to shave off all of their hairs in an effort to keep them cool. Your pet’s coat will protect them from getting sunburned. A matted coat traps in the heat, attracts parasites and can cause skin sores.
7. Keep your pet away from spots or puddles of auto coolant in the garage, drivways or parking lots. The sweet taste of this poisonous liquid is tempting to animals, but can be fatal. You might consider using a more pet-friendly variety of coolant that is less toxic.
8. Don’t let your dogs ride in the back of an open vehicle, such as a pick-up truck. Unless they’re riding in the cab with you, they could slide around, bounce or jump out of the moving vehicle. Also, the floor of the truck bed can get extremely hot and may burn the pads of your dog’s feet. If your dogs must travel in back of an open vehicle, make sure he’s in a kennel, safety tethered to the floor of the truck bed.
