With strikingly hot temperatures set to take the UK by storm, it’s important that you know how to care for your pooch properly when the warm weather arrives. Summer is great - the sun is shining, everyone seems much happier, but there are some downsides to it! We can all feel uncomfortable in the heat, and the same goes for your dog. Here’s how to look after your pooch when the warm weather arrives, making sure that they feel healthy and comfortable all summer long!
Ticks, Fleas, Mosquitoes and More
During the summertime, the heat provides the perfect climate for pests to breed and grow. Not only can fleas and ticks spread around your household like wildfire, but they can also be extremely uncomfortable for your pets to have. Ticks grab onto your dog’s fur when they have been outside, and start to bite and lock themselves within your dog’s skin. From here, the tick will start to feed on their blood, which can cause discomfort and pain!
Ticks, fleas and mosquitoes are much more likely to bite and attach to your dog during the summer months, as they either live in long grass or can only survive during the hot weather. If your pooch does end up getting any ticks or fleas, it’s extremely important that you go about treating the problem in the correct way.
For fleas, special shampoos, dog collars and combs can be used to treat them. Checking your dog regularly will ensure that you can keep on top of their health, whilst also making sure that no fleas are spread around your home. Fleas can embed themselves into your carpet and other soft furnishings for several days, making it extremely easy for your pooch to get them, even after they’ve been removed from their fur! Investing in special flea carpet shampoo and washing clothes on a hot wash will remove the risk of contamination, leaving your pooch and home flea-free!
Ticks are slightly harder to get rid of. They bury their mouths (and therefore, due to their size, half of their body!) into your dog’s skin. If you remove the ticks wrong, half of their body can be left behind, which may cause infections, diseases and irritation. For more accurate and safe removal, we recommend visiting your vet or investing in special flea removing tweezers. These can get closer to the root of the flea, removing all of the body successfully!
Sun Burn
Despite what many people believe, dogs can get sunburnt too! Even if your pooch is covered in fur, the heat can penetrate through it and cause burning on their delicate skin. For short-haired dogs, the problem can be even worse! Many breeds have very little hair around their nose, eyes and ears and when on long walks, these areas can become seriously burnt and sore. To prevent this, always keep in mind how strong and powerful the sun’s rays are that day and take suitable precautions. For example, walk your dog in the shade, or always make sure that they are not in direct sunlight for too long without having some form of shelter! Many dog owners have also invested in a sun hat or doggy sun cream to make sure that their pooch never gets burnt or sore on the unbearably hot summer days!
Paws
Although strong and robust for walking, climbing and playing, dogs’ paws are extremely fragile to temperature. As a general rule, if the pavement is too hot for you to walk on barefoot, it’s too hot for your dog too! Any days that reach 25°c or higher should be treated as too hot, as the pavement can feel much warmer than the air outside. On these days, a run around in the garden or a short walk in the shade will be more than enough exercise for your pooch, as they’ll much prefer to shelter in the shade and relax, rather than walking under the burning sun!
NEVER Leave a Dog in a Car
As this has been widely debated in the media over recent years, you’ve probably heard about the importance of never leaving your dog in a car during the summer. When the temperature outside is just 22°c, the inside of your car can reach a whopping 47°c in as little time as an hour! If your dog is stuck inside, it’s extremely likely that they’ll experience dehydration, heat stroke, fainting or in many cases, even death. It’s a serious concern amongst many dog and animal wellbeing charities, with several dogs dying due to this reason every year. Always keep your pooch in a cool and shaded environment, and when driving make sure you take your dog with you when leaving the vehicle!
Always Provide Clean and Fresh Drinking Water
Just like us, dogs can get extremely dehydrated in the summertime. It’s important that wherever you go, your dog always has easy access to clean and fresh drinking water to keep them hydrated and cool all day long!
Keep Your House Cool
When the summer months arrive, you can definitely feel it in your home! Many rooms can become unbearable to sit in for long periods of time and again if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pooch! Make sure that your home keeps cool by opening windows, doors or using fans. This will make your home a comfortable and relaxing place to retreat to when the outside weather becomes a bit too much for you and your dog!
Keep Your Dog Safe
Ultimately, you need to keep your pooch safe in the summer months. By regularly checking that your dog looks and feels comfortable, that they always have access to clean drinking water and avoiding putting them in direct sunlight for long periods of time, your pooch will be as safe as possible when the summer days arrive. Just like for us, the sun can feel overbearing for your pooch, so by following this guide, we’re sure your furry friend will stay cool all summer long!
