Keep Your Dog Safe This Summer!

Summer is Here! Keeping Your Dog Safe in the Heat

Summer is upon us and air conditioners coming to life everywhere. It seems we are all feeling thirstier, wearing looser, lighter clothes and looking for any way we can to keep cool and safe from the effects of the harsh Australian summer.

Summer is a great time of year with the weather being perfect for all manner of outdoor activities and holidays such as Christmas, New Year and Australia Day. But whether you’re out enjoying the weather, or avoiding the heat and trying to stay cool, have you thought about how your four-legged friend is handling in the heat?

Here are some tips for keeping your dog safe this Summer:

• If it’s possible, bring your dog inside when the weather is hot. If it’s not possible, make sure they have plenty of shelter and shade.
• Make sure there is plenty of fresh, clean water available. It is best practice to provide two bowls in case one is knocked over. You can put ice blocks in the bowls to help keep the water cooler for longer.
• NEVER leave your dog in a closed shed, garage or car (even with the windows down). The temperature will get very hot quickly. If you need to bring your dog with you in the car, find a suitable shady place to tie your dog up outside of the car.
• Walk your dog early in the morning or late in the evening when the temperature is coolest.
• Pavement, roads and sand can all get extremely hot in the sun. Check the ground with the back of your hand, if it is too hot for you to handle, it’s too hot for your dog. Dog paws are very sensitive and can burn easily. If you can’t stand the heat, your dog can’t either.
• If your dog does not eat its food straight away, do not leave it in the heat. Bring it in, cover it and put it in the fridge for later. Dogs can get food poisoning too.
• If your dog is showing signs of heat stress including panting, sweating or drooling, move it to cool place, put cool water on it, fan it and wet the ground around it. You may need to seek urgent medical attention from a veterinarian.