Now that summer is in full swing, the hot weather is here to stay for the foreseeable future. With the restrictions brought on with the pandemic, many people are embracing spending more time with their dogs in the great outdoors. Spending increased time with your pup outside will mean paying closer attention to keeping them (and yourself!) safe in the warm weather.
If it’s warm outside, it will be extremely important to have water available for your dog as you explore. Regular water breaks will combat the risks of dehydration. If you are stationary, provide a bowl of water for your dog at all times. If you are walking and hiking with your dog, a hydration pack might be in your future! Be sure to give them the opportunity to drink every 30 minutes with a collapsible water dish that you can keep in your bag. Keep a close eye out for signs of heat stroke and act immediately if you are concerned your dog is showing signs of distress.
It is also important to keep in mind that while your dog may appear to have very thick paw pads, they can easily get painful burns on their feet if they are walking on the pavement in hot weather. Instead, find spaces where you can walk them exclusively on the grass to protect their paws. If grassy spaces are limited, you may consider investing in some boots for your dog to protect their paws from hot surfaces.
See you next time, at Central Bark!
-Carla
Carla is an Operations Field Representative for Central Bark and co-owns a dog training and behavior consulting business, Good Karma Canine. Carla has three dogs Karma, a seven-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier Mix; Gypsy, a five-year-old Bull Terrier/Lab Mix; and Newt, a two-year-old Chihuahua.
