Dog Days of Summer

I am a worrier by nature and when the temperature is consistently over 95 degrees I start worrying about our furry friends. Particularly when I see people running with their dog during the heat of the day or even worse, riding a bike with their dog alongside. Yikes! Of course, I didn’t want to presume that this was necessarily a bad thing and luckily for me, I have experts "in the house!" (i.e. I asked Dr. Welch!) Here are her tips and strategies for managing your pup in the heat:

Outdoor Safety Tips in High Temperatures:

• Provide animals with plenty of fresh, clean water. You can also freeze chicken broth into ice cubes as a cool, fun snack for dogs!
• >Provide animals with adequate shade and shelter.
• If outside longer than 15 minutes, water your animal down with a hose and/or provide a clean water bath where they can cool off in the shade.
• Avoid the heat of the day. Early mornings or evenings are recommended for exercise.
• Brachycephalic breeds (short-nosed breeds such as Boxers, Boston Terriers, Pugs, etc.) are at a higher risk for heat stroke.

With the high temperatures, it's also important to recognize the signs of dehydration.

Signs of Dehydration:

• Excessive panting
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Anorexia
• Lethargy and/or change in attitude
• Vocalization
• Seizures

Keep your pups safe this summer by being smart about the heat and keeping your eye out for signs of dehydration!

-Cary Bernstein, Founder & Executive Director & Dr. Welch, Medical Director