PROTECT YOUR PUP TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR DOG SAFE THIS SUMMER
S
ummer is heating up and people are eager to get out for fresh air, sunshine, adventures, and fun with Fido! But while summer is a time for fun in the sun, it can also be a dangerous time for your pooch. Here are some ways to keep your pup safe in the hot summer weather.
CAR TRAVEL
While we may love taking our dogs with us whenever can, this may not be the best choice during the hot summer months. If you have errands to run, stops to make, or cannot take your dog into the place you are visiting, it’s best to leave him home. A quick trip inside the grocery store could quickly become deadly to a dog left in a parked car this time of year, even with the windows cracked or parked in the shade.
Help protect your pooch from the sun when out and about this summer with dog-safe sunscreen; a UPF t-shirt; doggie goggles, sunglasses, or visor; and portable shade such as an umbrella, sunshade, or collapsible canopy.
SUMMER HEAT Be sure to take products that can help keep your dog cool as you venture outdoors – for instance, a collapsible bowl for hydration on the go, along with plenty of drinking water; a cooling mat or vest for extended periods outside (cooling bandanas are also good options); a frozen bone, chill fill, or KONG toy; and protective
It’s important to know that: – Pets most at risk for overheating are young, elderly, or overweight animals, those with short muzzles, and those with thick or darkcolored coats. – A car may overheat even when the windows have been left open an inch or two. – Even if the temperature outside is only 70 degrees, the inside of your car may be as much as 20 degrees hotter! On an 85 degree day, it only takes 10 minutes for the inside of your car to reach 102 degrees – and within 30 minutes, its interior can climb from 85 degrees to 120 degrees. – Shade offers little protection on a hot day and moves with the sun. – Many states and local governments have laws that prohibit leaving an animal unattended in a motor vehicle under dangerous conditions, which includes hot days. Your car could be damaged or you could be charged with a crime if you leave your pet in it unattended.
SUN PROTECTION Dogs may have fur to help protect them from the sun, but many are still at risk for sunburn – particularly those with lighter or thin coats, or where skin is exposed, such as the belly, ears, or nose. 40
CIRCA Magazine
| July • August • September 2022
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circamagazine.com
