Florida summers can be hazardous for your pup, thanks to the heat and humidity. Add in an occasional storm-related power outage, and these months can get downright dangerous.
Remember that dogs don’t sweat. Instead, they pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs – which removes heat from their body. If they’re unable to properly cool themselves, their temperature will escalate to dangerous levels in a matter of minutes.
Overheated pups can suffer heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or even sudden death. That’s why it’s vital that you monitor your dog when it’s hot and humid out, and take some simple steps to help them stay as cool as the other side of your pillow. Here are some of our top tips for protecting your pup from the summer heat.
Make Sure They Have Plenty of Water
Keeping their water bowl filled with cool drinking water is a fundamental part of pet ownership. Ensuring they have an ample amount of water available to drink while outside will also help keep them safe and hydrated.
Don’t Leave Them in Your Car or SUV
You may think that it’s okay to leave your furry friend in the car while you dash into a store. However, temperatures quickly rise even if you crack a window. Consider this. According to The Humane Society of The United States, on an 85-degree day, temperatures inside a car can rise to 102 degrees within 10 minutes and reach 120 degrees within a half-hour – even with the windows cracked. Our local temperatures get higher than that in the summer, and their calculations don’t even factor in our high humidity.
Reduce or Reschedule Your Dog’s Outdoor Exercise
We love to let our guests get out and play, and they love their free time as well. If you can’t keep them active inside, consider rescheduling their playtime to early morning or evening when temperatures are lower and the sun isn’t beating down. If you can, let them play in a pool or run through the spray of a hose to help maintain a safe body temperature. Also, try to walk your pup on grass instead of asphalt to help keep their paws safe.
Give Them Cool Treats
In addition to providing them with plenty of water, make a batch of DIY pupsicles or stock up on doggie ice cream from the frozen section of your grocery store. You can also soak a body wrap, vest, or mat in cool water and store them in the freezer.
Let Them Dig in Shaded Areas
We all head for the shade when the sun’s beating down. Dogs are no different. While it’s natural to get upset when they dig in your yard, allowing them one shady spot to nest is simply considerate. It’s their instinct to create a place that keeps them cool. Better yet, choose the spot yourself and make a small hole for them. They’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness, and you control where the damage is done.
Taking some simple precautions and monitoring your pup is the best way to help your pup survive the dog days of summer. At Pampered Pet Resorts, we’re well versed in providing a safe, happy environment for dogs all year long. Feel free to inquire about our daycare programs, where your pupper can romp around safely and confidently on our splash pad!
