ad | Pet safety is of the utmost importance, especially in the Summer months when there’s extra challenges and risks around such as the heat. We all want to keep our pets as safe, healthy and happy as possible so we have to be super vigilant to ensure that happens and no nasty incidents arise to ruin your Summer.
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With higher risk of heat stroke and dehydration, bites from grass snakes, danger in the water and more, it can be hard to know where to start without going overboard and not allowing your dog to do anything.
We want our dogs to have the best time and enjoy being outside but health and safety should always be the priority. Here are some simple but extremely effective ways to keep your dog safe in the Summer:
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Beach and water safety
It’s so much fun taking your dog to the beach in the Summer and seeing them run around enjoying life but just like there’s always danger for humans when it comes to open water, there’s danger for your dog too. Check tide times when you’re heading to the beach and always keep an eye on them when they’re in the water. If you’re near lakes, check for signage to ensure it’s okay for your dog to enter the water.
Alter your walk times
In the Summer months, especially when it starts getting to the mid-20’s, you never want to be walking your dog on boiling hot pavement. Not only will it burn and hurt their paws but the midday sun can cause heat stroke which can be life threatening. Walk your dog earlier in the morning and later at night or if it’s too hot? Don’t walk them at all. A dog never died from not going for one walk.
Keep track of them
It’s nice to let your dog off lead to enjoy the beach, a field or a woodland area, especially in the Summer when you can spend longer ambling about and enjoying nature. But there’s always a worry that they might get lost. Using a GPS pet tracker is a really easy solution for this. The PAJ Pet Finder is a great option as it’s 4G, lightweight and can last up to 1-3 days with daily tracking. It’s also water proof so excellent for those beach days.
It has an easy and comfortable strap that keeps it secure onto your dog’s neck and comes in black, blue or grey. You connect it to an app on your phone where you will receive live tracking and real-time updates of your pet’s whereabouts. It comes with a built in LED light for enhanced visibility on night-time walks as well.
Look out for heat stroke
Even if you’re taking all the precautions, it’s still worth looking out for signs of heat stroke in your dog. We all know how hot it can get in British homes in the Summer. Excessive panting, lethargy and drooling are common signs and if these occur, you’ll want to get your dog into a cool and shady spot and apply cool water to their coat. Avoid placing damp towels on them as this will trap the heat in. And always contact your vet if symptoms continue.
Be careful in long grassy areas
The Adder is Britain’s only venomous snake and it typically likes to live in long grassy areas as well as woodlands. They use the long grass to hide from predators so it can be important to keep your dog away from long grassy areas, particularly on hot days and keep them on a lead, if needed. It is a serious medical emergency if an Adder bites your dog and you should always call your vet immediately.
Have fun with water at home
As well as ensuring they stay hydrated by keeping fresh cool water around the house, having fun with water at home is a great way to keep your dog healthy and safe in the heat as well as keeping them stimulated. Create icy treats for them to lick their way through, play with cooling toys or invest in a sprinkler system or water mists in the garden for a bit of fun – and relief!
Photo by Oscar Sutton on Unsplash
I hope this helps by giving you some tips on how to keep your dog extra safe, healthy and happy in the Summer!