The temps are rising and the sun is shining bright. Spring is coming and summer is hot on its heels, making it the perfect time for you and Fido to venture outside for fresh air, exercise, and bonding time. However, the heat brings its own set of safety precautions that you need to be aware of.
Dogs Can Get Sunburned Too
As crazy as it might sound, dogs can get sunburned just like you, especially if they are shorthaired, losing hair, or spend a lot of time outdoors. To prevent harmful sun exposure, start with the proper trim. It is common to have your pooch shaved down or trimmed for the summer, but keep at least a half inch of fur to create a protective barrier. However, fur alone won’t stop sunburn from occurring. Sunscreen is the best line of defense, but human sunscreen contains zinc oxide, which is toxic to dogs if ingested. Opt for a sunscreen made specifically for canines, and do a test run on a small area of skin to ensure there isn’t any sort of reaction. Rather than coat your pooch from nose to tail, stick to the exposed, pink areas such as the nose, ears, belly, and groin. If sunscreen irritates your dog’s skin, give sun protective clothing a try and stick to shaded areas when possible. Wait to venture out during the cooler parts of the day such as morning or evening, but if you decide to go out into the cool night air, make sure you and your pooch wear reflective gear for extra visibility and safety.
Your Dog Can Overheat
Your dog pants as a way to cool himself down, but it is possible for your pooch to suffer from heat exhaustion, or even have a heat stroke. One of the tell tale signs of heat exhaustion is heavy panting, as well as weakness, confusion, and vomiting. Give your pooch time to slowly cool down and re-regulate his body temperature by using cool, damp towels, and serving him up a small dish of water. Try to keep him moving if possible to encourage blood circulation. Heat stroke has similar symptoms to heat exhaustion, but much worse, and may also include extreme disorientation, seizures, and diarrhea. If after cooling your pooch down he appears fine, it is best to take him to a vet to be sure. Heat-related illnesses can cause underlying damage to organs. In fact, the most common cause of death is disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC), or blood clotting, which occurs after the stroke.
Whether you are outside and on the go or just soaking up the moment, be mindful of the heat. Bring along water and sunscreen, and keep a watchful eye on Fido out all times for signs of overheating.
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