subject: How to Take Care of a Dog in the Summer [print this page] How to Take Care of a Dog in the Summer How to Take Care of a Dog in the Summer
In the summer heat you must know how to take care of your dog .
We live in Florida and the summer heat is hard on pets as well as people. It is best for you and the dog to get your exercise early in the morning or later in the day. The activities will be much more enjoyable when it is cooler.
My dog, Romeo, and I walk in the early morning, sometimes before the sun comes up. We walk 2.5 to 4.0 miles and the heat and humidity doesn't bother us too much at that time of the day.
For those times when you are in the summer heat, you need to take care of your dog and use necessary precautions.
Make sure there is plenty of fresh water available at all times. You can even buy bowls that collapse and are easy to carry on excursions.
Hot pavement is hard on sensitive paw pads. So check the heat of the pavement before you force your dog to walk on it.
Cool down your pet with cool, not cold, water on paws and tummy. And don't forget the sunscreen. Believe it or not, light colored dogs and cats need sun protection, especially on the nose.
People travel more in the summer. Be sure that pets are wearing their tags and emergency contact information at all times.
Your local pet store will have products to keep your pet safe for travel in the car. Of course, you should never leave your dog or cat in the car without the air conditioning on. The car can heat up like an oven in a short time, even on a cloudy day.
When running on the beach or park, use a halter and a long leash.
Don't forget basic care such as cleaning your dog's ears regularly, especially after swimming. Cats shed the most in the summer so spend several minutes a day brushing and combing your kitty.
If it is just too hot outside, have fun with your pet indoors with a new toy or trick.
In the summer, your dog will probably come more in contact with other dogs. Insects, fleas, and ticks are more prevalent in the summer. Therefore, it's important that your pet has a healthy immune system. The key to a healthy immune system is providing your animal a high quality, nutritious dog or cat food.
