Don't Let Fido Be A Hot Dog

It’s finally summertime and that means fun in the sun. Pets love running around and playing outside, but the heat may be doing more bad than good to your pet. Here’s the stuff you need to know....

First things first, always make sure you dog is hydrated. If you’re out on a run with your pup and you’re feeling thirsty, your pooch is probably craving some water too. Make sure that you have fresh water for your dog to drink. If you ever need to cool down your dog, pour some water on its neck, belly and paw pads; these are the best places to cool a dog down.

Living in Texas means a lot of heat during summer months and can cause problems for all types of dogs, but specifically long haired dogs. An old myth suggests that a long coat will keep dogs insulated and cool but this isn’t true. If you have a long haired pooch, consider trimming its coat during summer to prevent him or her from over heating. If you have a smushed-faced dog (ie. bulldogs) be careful! These dogs have soft tracheas and long soft palates, which decrease their ability to cool themselves.

Another thing to remember is to use caution when using muzzles--they eliminate the ability for a dog to pant which is a large part of a pooch’s ability to cool themselves down.

If you’re leaving your pup at home make sure they have shade, water, and preferably a small wading pool filled with cool water. Dog houses are good for shade, but are usually built to prevent air movement and can get very hot.

Lastly, if you ever see a dog left alone in a closed car, please call the police. They will help locate the owner. It may sound a little over the top, but if it’s 100 degrees outside, the inside temperature of the car can get to 140 degrees in just 15 minutes!

We all love summer time, including our pets, but just make sure that you’re being safe and staying cool.

 

-- Katie's Kibble for Thought