To avoid a trip to the animal hospital or emergency vet, learn about the following health problems pets face in the summer and how to prevent them.
Three Dog Summer Health Problems
If you think you?re hot sitting outside in shorts and a t-shirt, imagine how hot your dog must feel in a fur coat. Of course, your pets want to run and play in the beautiful summer weather, but keep in mind the very real risk of overheating. Certain factors will determine your dog?s tolerance for heat. For instance, older dogs, young puppies, and breeds with heavy coats may have a more difficult time withstanding the heat. Here are some pet care tips for keeping your dog safe in the summer:
- Walk your dog in the early morning or in the evening when temperatures are at their lowest.
- Never leave your dog in the car. Within just a few minutes, a car can heat up to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to heatstroke or death.
- Do not shave your dog?s coat in the summer. While a heavy coat can cause some dogs to heat up faster, a dog?s coat also insulates them from severe temperatures. Without this protective layer, dogs can also become sunburned easily.
- Fleas and ticks
Spending a lot of time outside increases your dog?s risk for fleas and tick bites. Of course, this does not mean you should keep your pet inside. Rather, be mindful and observant when it comes to your pet?s behavior after they have spent a significant time outdoors.
- Ask your veterinary clinic what type of anti-flea and tick medication is ideal for your dog.
- Inspect your pet for ticks as soon as it comes inside. Ticks often cling to fur. If you do find a tick, remove it as soon as possible.
- Control flea infestations by cleaning regularly. Vacuum the areas where you dog usually sits or lies.
- Paw Sensitivity
Hot concrete, asphalt, or beach sand can harm your pup?s paws during the hot summer months. The pads of the paws are vulnerable to burning, drying, and cracking. Here is what you can do:
- Walk your dog on the grass to avoid the severe heat of the pavement.
- Put on doggie booties. These are usually made to protect paws from the ice and snow, but they can be useful for protecting your dog?s paws in the summer as well.
- Apply a paw balm to help keep them moist in order to avoid painful cracking that sometimes causes infection.