Summertime Safety Tips for Your Dog

The dog days of summer are here—it can be a hazardous time for our canine companions! Below, your Niagara Falls, ON veterinarian offers a few key tips for keeping your dog safe, cool, and happy as the summer continues.

Rule number one for keeping your dog safe and sound during hot weather: allow them to relax indoors for most of the day, where it’s air-conditioned and comfortable. This way, you’re avoiding the dangers of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Keep outdoor time to a maximum of 15 minutes or so before heading back indoors.

Whether your pooch is spending time indoors or out, make sure they have a large dish of cool, fresh water to drink from as they please. This is the only way to stave off dangerous dehydration! You can even try adding a few ice cubes to Fido’s dish on extremely hot days to give him an extra refresher.

If your dog lingers on asphalt surfaces for too long in the summertime, their paw pads can be burnt and blistered painfully. That’s because blacktop heats up dramatically when the sun beats down on it all day long. Do your best to move quickly over asphalt driveways and parking lots when walking your dog, and try to walk on cooler grass or concrete surfaces instead. Your pup will thank you!

The heat and sun aren’t the only dangers this time of year. Summer is prime-time for pests like fleas, ticks, worms, and mosquitoes to present a hazard to your dog. The trick is having your pet wear the appropriate preventative medications to ward off these critters, thereby avoiding the infestations and infections they can cause. Talk to your veterinarian right away if your dog isn’t already set up with the proper preventatives.

While it’s important to keep your dog properly identified all year round, summer typically sees an increase in lost pets thanks to the extra time spent outdoors. Make sure that your dog is wearing ID tags around the collar, a microchip updated with your latest contact information, or both at the same time. It’s the best way to make sure that your dog is returned to you if something unexpected happens.

Does your pet need identification measures or pest-control products? We’re here for you! Contact your Niagara Falls, ON veterinary clinic today to set up an appointment.