8 Tips to Get Your Furry Friend Ready for the Summer

Dogs like the summer as much as you do. They enjoy all the outdoor activities, love having more people around and appreciate the warmer weather. Here are eight tips you can use to make sure your pet is ready for the dog days of summer.

1.       Protect Their Feet

When the outside temperature is 87 degrees, the surface temperature of asphalt can get as high as 143; more than hot enough to fry an egg! Protect your pet’s paws by taking walks early in the morning or later in the evening. If in doubt, place the palm of your hand on the ground. Would you want to walk on it barefoot? If you must go out during the heat of the day, consider getting some dog shoes to shield your pet’s tootsies.

2.        Keep Them Entertained

Everybody loves going to the beach, hanging out at the park and having backyard barbeques. Unfortunately, your pets may not always be welcome at these places. If they’re going to be alone for a long time, make sure they have something interesting to do. Getting them some squeaky toys, balls and even doggy puzzles will keep them amused for hours. Remember, if you don’t leave your pets a toy, they might turn your prized possession into one.

3.       Cool Them Down

If you have outdoor pets, make sure they have plenty of shade to cool down when the sun is out. Keep in mind that, depending on where it’s positioned, a tree might only provide shade during one part of the day. You can make this easy by setting up a solar shade for their crate, leaving out a doghouse or putting up a beach umbrella. For a fun way to keep your dogs cool, set up wading pool with a few inches of water so they can splash around. You can also freeze their favorite treats (or buy ice cream mixes) for a tasty way to cool them off.

4.       Beware the Bugs

The pests are out in force during the summertime. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitos are even more worrisome for your pets than they are for you. Make sure their flea and tick treatments are up to date. Mosquitos can transmit heartworms to your dogs with a single bite. Give them heartworm medication and get your pets tested if they start showing any symptoms.

Another consideration is the danger from bees, wasps and other stinging insects. Dogs love interesting smells and it often causes them to stick their noses where they don’t belong. You can help prevent your dogs from getting stung by following these instructions:

·         Keep them away from trash cans, fallen fruit and compost heaps that might be of interest to wasps.

·         Discourage them from snapping at stinging insects.

·         Move away from any areas with hives or nests.

Because you can’t watch your dogs all the time, there’s still a chance that they will be stung. Dogs typically get stung around the mouth, nose or paws. If you notice them whining, pawing at their faces, drooling, showing signs of hives or swelling, they may have been stung. You should do the following:

·         Do not attempt to remove the bee sting.

·         Put a cold pack on the site of the sting.

·         Seek veterinary assistance immediately.

Stings are as scary for your pets as they are for you. Take precautions and your pooch will stay protected.

5.       Update Their Vaccines

Boarding facilities are a great option if your vacation spot won’t allow you to bring your furry friends. A little internet research can help you find a reputable pet hotel in your area. Most of these facilities require that your pet have their vaccinations in order, so make sure they’re up to date and you have their records at the ready.

6.       Get Them Looking Good

Using a brush can help your dogs shed their winter coat. Not only will this prevent them from shedding all over your clothes, furniture and floor, but it will help keep them cool. Your dogs will love it because being gently brushed feels so good.

If your dog has a long, thick coat, consider taking them to the groomer for a trim. A Newfoundland’s fur is great for cold Canadian weather, a shorter cut will help your pet survive a summer in the Southern United States. If you’re taking your pooches to the groomers anyway, you might as well get their nails trimmed as well.

7.       Train Them for Fun

Do you have a nervous dog? If the problem isn’t severe, a little bit of at-home training can turn your shy wallflower into the life of the party. Always begin by starting slowly. Nervous dogs are going to have issues with a big party, so start by having one or two people over. If your dogs stay calm, reward them and let them acclimate to the stimulus of new people. Over the course of weeks, introduce more people or more exciting stimuli such as loud music or children playing. Don’t sweat the setbacks, if your dogs are getting more social then you’re making progress. If they’ve got a more serious anxiety problem, it’s best to seek professional advice.

8.       Take Them Hiking

Summer is also hiking season for people and pets. If your dogs are a little out of shape, remember to start slowly. Let them spend a couple of months building up the stamina to go from couch dog to honorary wolf. You may need to start with as little as a couple of walks around the block. From there, you can build up to longer trails, steeper hills and even mountains if you so choose. Backpacks are a great way to carry gear for a hike. Your dogs can even carry their own water, treats and poop bags. Just remember to start them off with light loads and never weigh them down with more than 15-25% of their own bodyweight.

Like humans, dogs need to be prepared for the challenges of warmer, sunnier weather. Unlike humans, dogs need help so they can be ready. These simple tips will have your pup enjoying summer too.