Doggie Summer Care Tips

Avoid Overheating

Did you know that a dog’s normal temperature is between 100° and 103°F?  This means when the temperature reaches higher than that your pet could be in danger! Dogs don’t sweat like we do to regulate their body temperature. (Instead, they drink water and pant to bring down their body temperature.) During the summer months, it is  important to be on the lookout for signs that your pup may be overheating.

Symptoms of Overheating:

• Heavy panting
• Dry or bright red gums
• Thick drool
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Wobbly legs

If you notice these symptoms, immediately move them to a cool place, give them a drink of water, put a damp towel over their body, and get them to the vet asap. Just like when a person experiences heat exhaustion, it is a serious condition and medical attention may be required. Don’t place your pet in cold water, as that can put them into shock!

Sunscreen

Just like people, dogs can get sunburned too! Even with fur our four legged friends are still at risk.  (Especially those with a short or light coat.) A trim to your dog’s longer hair is always smart, but remember to never shave your dog! The layers of dogs’ fur protect them from overheating and sunburn. When dogs get sunburned it is often painful and puts them at risk for infection, and prolonged exposure can lead to skin cancer. So what can you do to protect your fur baby? APPLY SUNSCREEN! On your next summer trip to the lake, hike, BBQ, or any other fun in the sun activity, apply sunscreen every 3-4 hours to the least hair-covered spots: bellies, ears, and nose. Also, you should only use sunscreens made specifically for pets. Not sure what to buy? Call your vet!  And be sure to check the label to ensure that the product is made for pets.

Protect the Paws

Remember that one trip to the beach where you had to run across the sand to make it to the cool water because the ground was so hot it hurt your feet? Dogs experience that too, but they don’t have the protection that shoes provide. In fact, pups heat and cool from the bottom up. If you’re out in the sun together, try to keep your pet off of hot surfaces like cement and asphalt. Harsh surfaces like metal, cement, and asphalt can actually burn paws!  Be mindful of what your pets is stepping on this summer. It’s always best to reach down and touch the ground with your hand, if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your doggo!

Here at Puppy Paws, we can help you make it through the summer! Puppy Paws is a 7,000 square feet Dog Daycare & Spa that can accommodate dogs of all shapes and sizes! Our 4 indoor play parks, 6,000 SF of outdoor play space, training classroom, and luxury sleep suites all combine to create the most exclusive, state-of-the-art dog boarding facility in Edmond Oklahoma.

At Puppy Paws we  love and care for your dog as much as you do! Contact us at 405.348.2800 to reserve a day of fun or grooming for your dog!