Summer is “officially” here as of June 21, but we Phoenicians know that summer has been here for a few weeks already. Our triple digit temperatures will just keep rising, which means more hazards to be aware of when it comes to our pets. These are the things you need to know to keep your pets safe this summer.
Grooming
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Summer Baths: Increase the number of baths per week during the summer. Brush your pet’s hair before giving them a bath and apply a flea repellent after the bath to prevent any flea infestations.
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Hair Cuts & Full Style Grooming: Although you might think that a thick coat of hair might be hot for your dog, it’s not. The thick coats on dogs act like natural weather controllers and allow the dog to maintain their body temperature in harsh weather conditions.Shaving off the hair can make your dog uncomfortable as the heat will then directly hit the dog’s exposed skin and may cause burning and other skin problems. Instead, brush the coat more frequently to keep it clean and to prevent excessive shedding.
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Trim Nails: As dogs like to play outside in the summer, they may break their paw nails if they are not properly trimmed. Do not cut the nails more than required. Just cut from the tip where the nail begins and trim every week to keep the nails short.
The Asphalt Test
Hot asphalt can burn a dog’s feet! Asphalt absorbs enough heat to injure the extra thick flesh on a dog’s paw. Asphalt temperature and the outdoor temperature are two very different things. When the outside air temperature is 77 degrees the asphalt in the sun is 125 degrees. You can fry and egg at 131 degrees. Can you imagine what that ground feels like when it’s over 100 degrees out?
Ask yourself, is the asphalt too hot for my dog? Place the back of your hand against the pavement and hold it there for 11 seconds… if it’s uncomfortable for you to leave your skin there, then you shouldn’t make your dog do it. You can also try walking on it barefoot yourself. Also, think about the time of day, it takes hours for the pavement to cool off after the outdoor temperature goes down.
Sunburn Prevention
Fur is not the problem people think it is. It is a misconception that a dog’s coat should be cut back to keep them cool during the summer months. Although a dark skinned dog is less vulnerable than that of a light skinned dog, they both can suffer from sunburn when exposed to the sun’s rays. It is more important to keep your dog well groomed and free of mats that cause hot spots (a raw irritated patch of skin) then to shave them and expose their tender skin.
Should your dog’s skin become sunburned the following will help; cover the burned area with cool towels and use an aloe-vera preparation for its soothing effects. Do not use topical ointments or sunblock because the animal may tend to lick it off which will further aggravate damaged skin and it might cause itching. As with any medication, consult a veterinarian before trying anything new.
Signs of Heatstroke
Heatstroke is one of the summer’s most frequent canine afflictions and one of the most lethal! Pet owners should know the signs of heatstroke and how to treat it. Symptoms might include: elevated body temperature (body temps can soar as high as 110 causing irreversible brain damage or death), vigorous panting, unsteady gait, physical depression or agitation, thick saliva or froth at the mouth, rigid posture, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, collapsing and signs of shock.
At the end of the day, play it smart – leave your pet at home during the summer – they will be much happier and so will you!
