Fun in The Sun, But Safety First
Tuesday May 13, 2008
The weather's warming up, and pretty soon it will be downright hot. In order to keep your dog safe, here are some basic safety measures to take:
- Never leave your dog in the car unattended! Even if it does not seem that hot outside, the temperature inside the car can rise to dangerous levels within minutes. If you absolutely must bring your dog with you on errands, make sure you bring another person who can stay in the running, air-conditioned car with your dog.
- Skip the long walks on hot, sunny days. Try to take several shorter walks during the cooler times of the day, and avoid prolonged sun exposure. Dogs can get sunburns, too.
- Leave your dog at home when going to large outdoor festivals or parties. A large crowd can be overwhelming and it increases the chances of injury, dehydration and exhaustion. Plus, there's bound to be a lot of unhealthy food and trash that your dog might try to eat.
- Stay close to your your dog while swimming in a lake, river or the ocean. Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs are naturally skilled swimmers. Also remember that even the most experienced swimmer can become a victim of an undertow, jellyfish or other hazard.
Above all, exercise common sense and caution to help keep your dog safe. Learn what warning signs mean it's time to call your vet. When in doubt, call your vet right away. Enjoy the weather!
Photo © Kimberly Zwaagstra
Comments
thanks for the tips esp. about dogs getting sunburns too. it’s a nice reminder.
It would be nice if you came up with some original material. You are the so called new expert? Give me a break!
you are doing a great job ,i find the articles helpful to me because i work with the dogs ,i am a animal control and bylaw officer, new to the job but i like to work with the animals ,please keep up the good work at about.com dogs james tait.
Many new dog owners need to know the information you are providing, and many experienced dog owners need reminders. What you are saying needs to be repeated over and over again, because I see so many people leaving their dogs in cars, tied out in the hot sun, walking them in the heat of the day, and doing other things that could be harmful to their pets. I think you are doing a great job! Keep up the good work!
Thanks to all who have posted comments! Having personally seen the unfortunate consequences of heat stroke, etc in dogs every summer, I really feel the need to reinforce these safety guidelines.
Thanks for the good info. I’ve got a white Great Dane and I live next to a huge park, so we’re out all of the time. We even have a spray on sunscreen for dogs that we have to use on her ears and other parts to help keep her from burning. That said, your tip about walking in the cooler times is right on - we do early mornings and evenings after sunset. She likes it and it’s cooler for us too. Thanks for your hard work.
I’m a longtime dog owner, and it always bothers me when owners leave their dogs in hot cars. Thanks so much for the safety tips. Keep up the good work!