The days are longer, the nights are warmer, and opportunities for dogs to play outside abound. Like us, our pets feel the changes of season and rush to meet them. But they don't always know how to tell us when they're uncomfortable, overheated, ill or injured; they rely on us to protect them from summer hazards.
Dogs have a harder time cooling themselves than we do. They release heat by panting, and by sweating through their paws; they don't have sweat glands anywhere else. On hot days, exercise your dog in the early morning or in the evening, and always carry water so she can drink frequently. In extreme heat, you can spray down her coat with cool (not cold) water before and after exercise. NEVER leave her in a parked car, even with the windows open. Every summer, we hear about dogs who die when exposed to the heat trapped in a car.
Keep your dog out of direct sunlight, and steer clear of asphalt, which heats quickly and burns paws. Don't shave your pet to the skin, as dogs sunburn easily and are as vulnerable to skin cancer as we are. Keep at least an inch of hair on longer coated pups. Fur actually keeps some dogs coooler, and always acts as a natural sunscreen. Before going outside, put sun block on his ear tips, his nose, and any other exposed areas.
And, oh by the way, please don't allow your dog to hang out of a moving car, especially the back of a pick up truck!!!
Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage
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