Dog Days of Summer – Safety Tips for Fun in the Sun

Summer is here and it’s time for lots of outdoor fun. Along with more sun, swimming, and playtime, comes heat, bugs, and lots of noise. As pet parents, our dog’s safety is always top priority. So grab your SPF and a glass of lemonade and let’s explore some tips and resources for how to have a great summer with your pup while keeping them feeling their best physically and mentally.

Please remember, we are NOT veterinarians, but we are dog lovers, caretakers, and pet parents who love to research and provide resources to help dogs live their best lives. ALWAYS consult with your veterinarian before taking any action or with any concerns or questions you may have. When in doubt, give your vet a shout!

Peanut from our sanctuary volunteered to be the subject of this article so we’ll refer to the dog as “she.” Here is sweet little Peanut, so you can picture her while you read this.

Sweet little peanut loving the summer sun! Photo credit: Sandra Mecca

Say NO to a hot dog

If your dogs are anything like ours here at Marty’s Place, then they love to be outside in the sun! Just like we humans can get overheated, so can our pups, and senior dogs are at an even greater risk. Here are some steps you can take to keep your dog feeling fine in the sunshine. 

Pepper, safely enjoying the sunshine! Photo credit: Sandra Mecca

Summer do’s:

• Take your dog for walks during cooler times of the day.
• When outside, find shady places and take lots of rest.
• Provide plenty of clean water to drink.
• Pay close attention to any signs of overheating such as panting, which is often the first warning.
• Check the pavement temperature using the “seven second rule.” If you can’t hold the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds because it’s too hot, then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. You can read more about how to avoid and treat burns here: https://www.fourpawsusa.org/our-stories/publications-guides/hot-asphalt-a-danger-to-your-dogs-paws

Phoebe is dancing in the sunshine

And a few don’ts:

• Never leave your dog in a parked car. Even if it feels cool outside, the temperature inside a closed car is much hotter and continues to rise very quickly. Click here to learn more.
• Don’t let your dog engage in strenuous activity in the heat.
• Don’t ignore the signs! If your dog is excessively panting, drooling, or lethargic, call your vet and get professional guidance right away.

Here are some additional tips on how to keep your pup from overheating this summer: Hot Weather Safety Tips | ASPCA 

Summer essentials on the go
If you are going to be outside away from your home (like a hike, the beach, or a park), it’s a good idea to pack a bag with some essentials in case a minor emergency arises. Here are some staples to bring with you:

• Water and bowl
• Gauze, bandages, wraps
• Styptic powder
• Wound rinse, ointments
• Cotton balls or pads to clean wounds
• Tick remover tool
• Nail clippers
• Blankets and towels

There are many more items you can include in an emergency kit for your dog. You can find a more thorough list here: Dog First-Aid Kit Essentials: What to Include For Injuries And Emergencies And of course, you should always check with your vet to see what they suggest.

Bugs, bites, bees…oh my! 

Summertime means that our biting and stinging friends are out and ready to “interact” with us, including our pups. Speak with your vet about the best options for natural insect repellent and medications for prevention and for stings/bites. Be sure to check your dog when you come back inside from outdoor activities for ticks. Have tick removal tools on hand and call your vet right away if you notice any signs of allergic reactions from bites or stings.

Fireworks and thunderstorms

‘Tis the season for fireworks and thunderstorms and that can be terrifying for some pups. Sometimes it’s easy to plan for the loud noises, like July 4th. When you can, prepare ahead of time and make a safe space inside the house for your dog. Take her favorite blanket, toys, and treats and be ready to sit with and comfort her. You can use a white noise machine or soothing music to help block out other noises and create a calmer environment. If you have to take her outside for potty time, you may want to keep her on a leash to ensure her safety as some dogs will try to run away from fear. We’ll say it again – call your vet to get advice on supplements, medications, or other strategies to help keep her calm during the summer chaos.

Water safety 

• Not all dogs are natural swimmers. Learn more about safe swimming: Can All Dogs Swim? How to Teach a Dog to Swim – American Kennel Club
• No matter how good of a swimmer your dog is, keep a close eye on her the entire time she is in the water.
• Don’t let her drink the water whether pool, ocean, lake, or any other swimming water. Have a fresh bowl of water dedicated to drinking.
• If you can see algae, don’t allow her to swim as this can be toxic.
• If you bring toys to play with in the water, make sure to bring an extra in case one gets lost, especially if playing fetch in the ocean.
• When she is done swimming, rinse her off with fresh water to get rid of any chlorine, salt, or other skin irritants.
• Make sure her ears are clean and dry to avoid infection.
• You may want to buy a doggy life jacket to take some of the strain off of her in the water.

You can find a thorough list of water safety tips here: https://www.medvet.com/pet-water-safety/.

And, as we’ve said above, you should contact your vet with any questions or concerns about your dog swimming – or any other topic. 

Did you know Marty’s Place has an indoor pool and is open to non-resident dogs?

Individually or in small groups, non-resident dogs that can benefit from the exercise or simply enjoy swimming have the opportunity to do so. Dogs swim at Marty’s Place for a variety of reasons, including rehabilitation, conditioning or recreation and weight management. For more information, visit: https://martysplace.org/dog-swim

Here is Coco in the Marty’s Place pool!

This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but we hope it’s a helpful start to a safe and fun season. Wishing you and your pups lots of sunshine, health, and great times together this summer!