FITNESS AUTHOR
Sarah Leahy, CPT
KEEPING YOUR DOG FIT ALL YEAR n Keeping your dog fit throughout the
year can be a struggle, especially considering heat waves and snowstorms. Here’s how you can keep your pup fit by the season!
W
hile Central Texas is blessed with having little inclement weather, each season still poses challenges to keeping your dog healthy and active. A tired dog is a happy dog and making sure your furry friend is getting the proper amount of physical exercise and mental stimulation is key to their well-being.
Summer
Summer can be the biggest challenge to make sure your pup is safe, with days at or above 100 degrees. Heat exhaustion, dehydration and burnt paw pads are a few serious downsides to outdoor time in the scorching summers. Keep walks shorter during the summer months and plan them for
MARCH 2022
60
earlier in the day or after the sun is setting. Asphalt can get up to 125 degrees or more in the glaring sun, and their paw pads can get scorched! Warm-weather booties to protect their paws are a must and be sure to bring plenty of water. Remember, if it’s too hot for you, it’s definitely too hot for them! Alternative methods of play and exercise are recommended for the hottest days to keep your dog safe. For instance, consider exercising them indoors with those puzzles, tug toys or doggy daycare sessions!
Fall
Fall is another too-short season here but is the perfect time to get outside! Austin is full of outdoor dog parks, dog-friendly trails and walking paths so you and your pup can get those steps in together and enjoy the outdoors.
