Keeping Dogs Safe From The Summer Sun
The heat from the summer sun can be almost unbearable for us at times. We can turn on fans or even air conditioners to keep us cooler, but what about the dog? How can you protect your dog from the summer heat when the temperature keeps climbing?
Below I have a few suggestions that may save your dogs life from the blistering heat of summer.
1. Air Conditioner - For people who own a kennel, the best thing for the dogs would be to have an air condition building that you can keep your dogs in when the temperature keeps climbing. After the heatwave, than they can go outside in their kennel runs so they are able to enjoy the cooler breeze of summer. (Note: I have kennel runs inside my building and kennel runs outside as well. I do bring my dogs inside the building every night around 9 pm. or so; no matter what the weather is. I feel the dogs are safer and it keeps the neighbors happy because they don’t hear any noise from the dogs during the night).
2. House dogs - If you only have house dogs and live in a super hot place during summer - having an air conditioner is a real plus for your dog(s) as well. During the hottest part of the day, the dog needs to be in the house. If the dog needs to go “potty,” make sure that the dog is not outside for too long. The dog can not survive without shade and plenty of water during a heatwave. (Note: I have a doggy door installed in my backdoor. This way the dog can go out when he needs to potty and can come back in when he is done).
3. Fans - Use fans or a “gel pack” fan covers over the fans. There is a product that fits over the round plastic (or medal) cover of the fan, (that protects the blades from being touched). It’s a thin netting type material, that holds a “gel pack” in the middle. This gel pack can be frozen and put in place on the fan cover. When the fan is turned on, it forces the air to blow on the “gel pack,” and it instantly produces a cool breeze.
4.Garden hose - Use your garden hose to wet down the “underside” of the dog, (belly, inside back legs and up to his chest. Also soak the dogs feet. This helps keep him cooler.
5. Make a pool of water - I fill the front of my kennel runs with water so they can run around in it and stay cooler for a little bit, (until the water leaks out). I do this several times a day, (along with soaking the dogs underside thoroughly each time).
6. Fresh drinking water – Always change the dogs water daily. The dogs love the taste of cold water.
7. Swimming – Take you dog swimming when you go the lake or swimming hole. One of our friends has a very large pool that she uses just for the dogs. ? Swimming is a great way to cool down your dog and it is also great exercise for him/her.
8. Use a sprinkler – Turn on your sprinkler and let the dogs play in the water, or get a child’s plastic swimming pool and fill it with water and let them jump in and out of the pool. They love to splash the water everywhere. Try to keep the kids pool in a shaded area if you can.
9. Your yard – Soak a large section of your yard that is in the shade, so they can lay in it and/or roll around in the cool wet grass.
10. Shade – Don’t let your dog(s) outside in the direct sun for very long. They need shade, (and water). Dogs can get “heat stroke” just like humans can and they can also get sunburned; (especially the light colored dogs and/or dogs with a white nose).
For more information on how to keep your dog safe all year around, take a peek right here!
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