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Simple tips to keep your dog safe this summer
Photo by Zach Markovic
Some dogs enjoy the water and taking them to the pool can be a nice way to cool them off during the hot summer heat.
By Bill Conrad, bconrad@acnpapers.com
People love to play outside with dogs, but experts say that simple activity can have grave consequences if special care is not taken.
Just like humans, dogs can fall victim to illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke if they exert themselves too much physically. With triple digit temperatures fast approaching, dog owners can do several things to ensure their pets remain safe.
“Dogs are the same as humans,” said Bonnie Hill, president of the Kaufman County Animal Awareness Project. “They can’t spend any more time outside than a person can. If you have an outside dog, you need to make sure they have plenty of shade and cool water. The water should be changed every hour to make sure it remains cool. If they have shade and cool water, they should be fine outside.”
It is not only outside dogs that are at risk. Hill said inside dogs can fall victim to heat-related illnesses as well, since they are not used to the outside heat.
“If you have an inside dog, you should be taking walks early or late in the day,” Hill said. “They may not be able to regulate their body temperature like a dog that is used to being outside. Another thing to remember is that if the dog is not used to being shaved, then don’t shave the dog’s coat in an attempt to keep the dog cooler in the summer. Dogs use their hair depth and hair type to regulate body temperature. If the hair is shaved, it can lead to sunburn.”
Hill said you can also use a zinc-free sunscreen on the ears and nose of dogs to help protect them from the sun.
Dogs that undergo strenuous outdoor activities can fall victim to heatstroke, which can be deadly. Hill said some of the warning signs to keep an eye out for include heavy panting, dazed eyes, dizziness and uncoordinated movements. She said the symptoms are similar to those you would see in a human. If you observe these signs, Hill said to cool the dog down slowly by taking them to an air conditioned area and putting cool towels around their head and neck. You can also give them small amounts of water to drink. Hill cautioned about cooling the dog down too fast by throwing them in ice water, as this could also be dangerous. Hill said if you observe any of these signs, see a veterinarian to make sure there is not liver or kidney damage.
Hill also said that on the Fourth of July, make sure dogs are brought inside to prevent them from being scared. She said that fireworks may scare dogs, causing them to get out of a backyard and run away. She said she receives calls at her clinic every year about dogs that run away July 4.
There are also several items that can be bought to help keep pets safe, including the Swamp Cooler dog cooling vest from RuffWear. This item is sold by Christy Howard of Three Dog Bakery, a dog store and bakery with locations in Southlake and Plano.
“I use a Swamp Cooler on my English Mastiff, and I can really tell a difference in his energy level,” Howard said. “It looks like a life jacket and goes around the head and body. It will help keep the body temperature regulated for up to four hours. If my dog goes outside for longer than 10 to 15 minutes, I make sure he is wearing it.”
Three Dog Bakery also sells a motion sensor device, called The WaterDog, that fits on a water faucet and turns the faucet on when the dog approaches the water bowl. This makes sure the dog always has cool, fresh water to drink and prevents the algae growth that can be prevalent in Texas during the summer.
One of the coolest items sold at the bakery, according to Howard, is the Kool Dogz Ice Treat Maker. Kool Dogz allows you to make a popsicle that has frozen treats or toys inside of. The popsicle is then stuck in the ground outside and the dog can lick it to help stay cool. After enough licks, the dog is rewarded with the treat that was hidden inside.
Summer is a great time of year and dogs can make it even more enjoyable. A few simple changes to a dog owner’s routine can make sure they enjoy many more summers with man’s best friend.
The Kaufman County Animal Awareness Project is located in Crandall and provides discounted spaying and neutering for dogs and cats. Three Dog Bakery has two locations, 1251 E. Southlake Blvd. in Southlake and 5960 West Parker Road in Plano.
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