Introduction

This is the time of year when we all like to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. We play Frisbee with our dogs, take them for long walks on trails, or throw them into lakes and rivers for fun. But dogs aren’t as safe in nature as we are! So if you’re planning to take your dog out this summer, here are some tips from veterinarians about how you can keep them healthy while still enjoying yourselves:

Make sure your dog is well protected from the sun.

As you’re probably aware, dogs can get sunburned just like people. If your dog is spending time outside, make sure to apply sunscreen to any exposed areas of their body. It’s also important to ensure they have a hat or other means of protecting their head from the sun.

While you should check the label on any sunscreen before applying it on your dog (and make sure that it is safe for use), there are some basic guidelines for using human products on animals:

• Apply one teaspoon per 10 pounds of weight every two hours
• Stay out of direct sunlight between 10am and 4pm when UV rays are strongest

Keep your dog well hydrated.

You may think that your dog doesn’t need to drink water as often as you do, but that’s not true. Dogs can get dehydrated quickly, especially if they’re playing outside in the summer heat. It’s important to always have fresh water available for your pet and make sure they are drinking regularly.

If your dog is not drinking as much water as usual and seems lethargic or tired all the time, then it’s time to take action!

Make sure your dog can’t get too hot on the road.

Your dog can quickly get overheated on a hot summer day, but it’s easy to avoid this with a few precautions. Make sure your pup has plenty of shade and water, and take frequent breaks from walking or exercise so he or she can rest in the shade. It’s also important not to leave your pup in a parked car for any length of time, as temperature spikes inside cars can cause severe harm or death.

If you notice signs of overheating like excessive panting and drooling (they’ll probably try to find cool surfaces to lay on), help cool off by letting them dip their paws in cold water or apply ice packs wrapped in towels or shirts.

Don’t let your dog swim in water that could make it sick.

• Don’t let your dog swim in water that could make it sick.

Your dog can be exposed to a number of harmful things when swimming in lakes, rivers, oceans and other bodies of water. Avoid letting your dog swim if you notice any signs of illness or discomfort (such as vomiting or diarrhea) after leaving the water, as this may indicate that something in the water has made him sick.

Know what kinds of plants could be toxic to your dog.

The following plants are toxic to dogs:

• Poinsettia
• Lily of the valley
• Azalea
• Yew berries and foliage (also called mountain laurel)
• Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is toxic to all dogs, but especially large or giant breeds. It can cause heart failure in as little as two hours after ingestion. The leaves and flowers are toxic; don’t eat them yourself! The plant is also poisonous to cats.
• Rhododendrons, particularly azaleas and rhododendrons with red leaves or berries that have been wilted during warm weather (these may contain toxins). Also avoid oleander and sago palm because they are extremely toxic if eaten by pets.

Watch out for lightning.

While you may know to keep an eye out for storms, lightning can catch you and your pup off guard. While humans can hear thunder, dogs don’t have that same advantage. They won’t know when it’s safe to come inside until the storm is over—and that means they’re more likely to get struck by lightning than a human would be.

But even if your dog is indoors, he or she should still be kept away from windows during a storm. If your pup gets too close to a window and lightning strikes nearby, it could enter through those windows and hurt them anyway!

Protect your pup from parasites like ticks and fleas.

Ticks and fleas are tiny, blood-sucking parasites that can bring a host of problems to your pet. Ticks can spread disease and even cause paralysis; fleas can cause allergies or anemia in dogs.

Before you go out into the world with your dog, make sure that you’re prepared for what may come. Here are some tips for keeping ticks off of your pup:

• Check for ticks after being outside! Ticks can be hard to find on dogs because they’re small, so it’s important to check them frequently when they’ve been outdoors in wooded areas or other places where ticks might be present.
• Bathe your dog regularly! While this might seem obvious (and it is), regular bathing will help remove existing ticks from their fur before they have the chance to bite you or get infected by something else unpleasant just waiting around somewhere on their body. Plus it keeps them smelling fresh!

Don’t take your dog where there are fireworks or gunshots.

You should never bring your dog to a fireworks show or gun range. If you’re going to an event like this and want to bring your dog, leave him home instead. Dogs just might be scared by loud noises and this could cause them to run away or get injured in other ways.

Take extra care with older dogs or dogs with health problems.

As your best friend, a dog will always be there for you. They’ll be the first one to greet you when you get home and they’re always ready to go on adventures with you. But just like humans, dogs have their own health concerns that need to be addressed before going outdoors during the summer heat.

Dogs are more at risk for heatstroke than humans because their bodies can’t regulate temperature as well as ours can. This means that if it’s hot outside, they may not know when it’s time for them to come inside or take a break from all the activity outdoors. Additionally, older dogs are more susceptible than younger ones since elderly animals are less likely to acclimate themselves with changes in environments such as increased temperatures or humidity levels (1).

Give your pet a break when they say they need one!

Dogs are more sensitive to heat than humans, and they can get heat exhaustion. In the summertime, it’s important to keep your dog hydrated and outdoors only when it’s cool. If you feel like their tongue is dry or they’re panting heavily, that means they’re too hot. Dogs can also get sunburned just like humans—and dogs with white fur are especially prone to this!

Also, as a general rule: if you wouldn’t put sunscreen on yourself, don’t put it on your dog either! Sunscreen will protect them from skin cancer (which can be deadly) in the future.

Dogs might not be as safe outside as humans, and so you need to take precautions to keep them healthy when outdoors this summer!

It’s the summertime, and you’re going to want to take your dog out with you as often as possible. However, there are some dangers for dogs in the heat that owners should be aware of.

• One major risk is heatstroke: Your dog can get overheated even if it doesn’t feel hot outside! The difference between a comfortable temperature for us and one that is dangerous for our pets can be only 10 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius). Dogs don’t sweat like humans do; they pant instead. This means they’re more susceptible to heat exhaustion or even death when exposed directly to sunlight or other sources of extreme heat.
• If left alone in a hot car, your canine companion will quickly become dehydrated and may die within just several minutes! When temperatures exceed 82 degrees F (28 C), dogs should not be left inside cars with closed windows because even on short trips they can suffer brain damage from lack of oxygen while waiting inside confined spaces like vehicles where air circulation is restricted due to closed windows/sunroofs etc…

Conclusion

By following these simple tips, you can make sure your dog is not only safe but also happy. You’ll have a great time spending time outside with your best friend this summer!