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Summer Weather – 5 Safety Tips for your Pup

by Cory Brannon July 22, 2014

With summer in full swing, here are some great safety tips to keep your pooch happy and healthy while still enjoying fun in the sun!

1. Poolside
While many dogs love to swim, some aren’t the greatest swimmers. While it can be tons of fun to give your pup the opportunity to splash around in the waves or in the pool, never leave them unsupervised near water. While pools do have steps built in, not all dogs can find them when they are doggie paddling around, and if they get too tired, they can end up in a dangerous situation. If your pup is going to make a splash, make sure that you are there to dive in with them.

2. Just a trim
Summer is a great time for your dog to show off a fancy new haircut, but be sure not to shave everything off. While it does look cooler to us, it’s important to remember that a dog’s coat is made to protect them from overheating and, worse, sunburn!

3. Watch What you Eat
Just because it tastes good to us, doesn’t mean it’s safe for your pup. Avoid foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, and artificial sweeteners (like xylitol) as they may end up toxic to your pet. Make sure they don’t get into the beer either; alcohol can be very dangerous to your pooch!

4. No Big Boom
While fireworks are fun, they aren’t exactly pet friendly. If you know there is going to be a fun display (like 4thof July), leave them at home. The loud sudden noises and reactions from people nearby may scare them and cause a problem. When you’re done shooting off your colorful display, make sure you store the fireworks up high and out of the way of pets. Dogs that like to chew can get a mouth full of deadly chemicals if they decide to use these as a chew toy.

5. Fun in the Sun
Dogs can get dehydrated very easily and the best way to make sure that doesn’t happen to your pup is to provide them with tons of shade to lounge in and plenty of water. Dogs don’t sweat like humans do, and pant to release heat from their breath, so be sure to watch out for overheating. If it gets too hot outside, bring them inside to soak in some AC and avoid over exercising your pet to ensure they don’t become ill in the hot sun.