Safe Summertime Dog Walks

As a dog parent, you are no doubt aware of the importance of walking your dog frequently. It does not matter the time of the year; walking your dog is vital to the animal’s well-being and will help your pet to burn excess energy.

It is not enough to take your dog for a walk, though. During summer, there are precautions that you will need to consider when walking dog. The weather can become scorching, and it may become unfavorable for your pet.

As a human, your body sweats to regulate its temperature and cool down when the weather becomes too hot. On the other hand, your dog cannot sweat through their bodies, and the sweat glands on their paws do not provide enough coolness during summer. Therefore, the animal will quickly become uncomfortable under hot weather conditions.

Besides, hot weather can cause the ground to become too hot, and it will burn the paws of your dog, causing the animal pain. No good pet parent would want this for their dog.

Precautions That You Should Take When Walking Your Dog During the Summer

Your walk should be fun! Make sure to keep an eye on your pet and take these precautions:

• Ensure that your pet is hydrated: Since the weather can be scorching during summer, your dog will quickly become thirsty. It is, therefore, necessary that you give the animal water regularly. Always take some water along with you for the dog. If possible, add some ice cubes to your pet’s water to provide some extra coolness.
• Try to take your pet for its walk when the sun is down: It is better to take your dog for its walk early in the morning or late in the evening. If you must take your dog for a walk when the sun is out, ensure that you stick to shaded routes and allow the dog to rest as often as possible.
• Apply sunscreen to protect your dog from the sun: There are sunscreens for dogs, especially those that have exposed skins. If you own such a dog, ensure that you use some sunscreen before taking the dog for a walk.
• Observe your dog and look for telltale signs of overheating: You must keep your pet from overheating if you are walking the animal during summer. There are signs that you can watch out for in the animal-like drooling, shade seeking, and pronounced panting.
• Prevent ticks and fleas from infesting your dog: Dog pests like ticks and fleas become more abundant when it is summertime. It is best to visit your veterinarian and get a Prescription that would protect your pet from these pests.

Protective Gear That You Can Use to Walk Your Dog Comfortably.

There are some things that you can purchase to increase your dog’s comfort during summer walks. They include:

• Dog shoes: These will protect your dog’s paws from hot pavements and or the hot ground.
• Sunscreen: Sunscreen protects the exposed skin of your pet from the sun.
• Damp towels: Make use of damp towels or wrap an ice pack in a towel and use it to relieve your pet from the heat.
• Cooling treats: Provide cooling treats for your pet. You can make cooling treats by putting your dog’s favorite food in the freezer.

As a dog owner, your pet’s safety and comfort should be of paramount importance to you. Ensure that you follow the tips above while walking your dog during the summer so that you can have a great time!