Walking Your Dog in Hot Weather - What You Should Know
Many of us enjoy walking with our pets during the summer. However, with temperatures rising, there are special considerations to ensure your pet stays safe. Here are our top tips for you to keep in mind while walking your dog in hot weather.
Consider Changing The Times and Duration Of Your Walks
As the heat increases this season, your dog may struggle to keep up on their walk. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious risks if you decide to walk your pet during the day. Symptoms of heat stroke include heavy panting or labored breathing, excessive salivation, weakness, and/or vomiting. If your pet shows any of these symptoms, move them immediately to a shaded and/or cooler area and apply cool water or damp rags to their abdomen and feet.
A better option would be to walk them in the early morning or in the evening after the sun has set. For senior or overweight pets and short-nosed breeds, you may also want to consider shortening their walks so as not to put so much strain on their bodies.
Be Prepared Before Walking Your Dog In Hot Weather
Before taking your pup out for their walk, be sure to check the temperature of the pavement. If it's too hot for you to walk on barefoot, it's too hot for them! A good rule of thumb is to place your hand on the surface and hold it for 5 seconds. If you can't keep it there, you'll want to hold off on your walk. Looking for added paw protection during your walks? If your dog will tolerate it, you can try boots on them. If not, it would be a good idea to get paw balm to protect their pads as they walk.
Also make sure to have water and a collapsable bowl on hand, in case your dog gets overheated. Finally, if your dog has thin/white fur or exposed areas of skin, you'll need to apply a dog-safe sunscreen to prevent sunburn. And dabbing a bit on their nose is a good habit for every pet parent.
Protect Them Against Pests
Additionally, summer is the ideal time for critters to come out, so be sure to apply an appropriate flea/tick preventative. If your in an area that has a large mosquito population, you'll want to also have your pup on some sort of heartworm preventative as well. Options include drops, collars, and sprays. Want a natural option for your pet? There are numerous brands that provide oil-based sprays and drops to protect your pet. Additionally, consider apple cider vinegar as both a spray and supplement to their food as an added barrier of protection.
Keeping up with those daily walks can be challenging, especially with a busy work schedule. Our team is here to help! Reach out today to learn more about our professional dog-walking services.