May 26 2008
Tips for Hot Weather
Happy Memorial Day! I know it’s not officially summer yet, but Memorial Day has always seemed like the kick-off to the season to me. With things beginning to heat up, I thought this would be the perfect time to remind you of some tips for keeping your dog healthy and happy during the long, hot summer.
• Don’t leave your dog in a parked car. This one seems like a no-brainer by now, but every year there are a few stories on the evening news about a dog becoming sick or dying after being left in a parked car. The temperature in your car heats up quickly once the air conditioner has been turned off. Even keeping the windows open is not sufficient to keep your dog cool. It only takes a few minutes for your dog to succumb to heatstroke.
• Keep heads inside car windows at all times. This is a big pet peeve of mine. As soon as it’s warm enough to roll down the windows, I see dog’s sticking their heads out, tongues lolling in the breeze. While it’s cute, it’s really not healthy for your pet. Dogs’ eyes can be hurt from flying bugs and other debris. Your dog may also decide to jump if there’s something interesting enough on the other side of the window. This can lead to injury or death.
• Make sure your dog is always wearing an identification tag. Between kids flying in and out of the house, leaving your dog with a pet sitter while you travel or taking him with you to an unfamiliar place on vacation, and being startled by 4th of July fireworks, summer brings with it many opportunities for your dog to become lost. Be sure to have i.d. tags with your name and phone number on your dog so if he does become lost, there’s a greater chance to have him returned to you quickly and safely.
