Summer is probably the favorite season of your fur baby. The sunny days let them play around without worrying about rain disrupting their playtime. As fun as this sounds, there are still hazards present. Knowing the problems your dog may encounter during summer vacation is important. Anticipating will help you prevent this from happening. Continue reading this article to learn more about these risks and tips for countering them.
High temperature
The summer season has the highest temperature. It is not a new thing for heatstroke cases to go up. It is easy for humans to communicate how we feel since we can talk, but this is not the case for dogs. With that in mind, it is important to be mindful of your dogs to see if they feel any discomfort. Even when your dog stays indoors, do not be too confident. They can still feel really hot despite being in the shade. Here are some of the things you can do to help them cool down despite the scorching weather.
- Keep their water container full.
- Keep the curtains and windows open if the AC is not turned on.
- Give them ice or frozen treats.
- Keep an electric fan near them.
- Let them stay in places in the house where the temperature is lower.
- Fill a kiddie pool with water and some ice if you cannot take them to some body of water.
- If you do take them to a body of water, make sure to avoid the times when the sun is at its peak. Always check on them and give them water.
- Never leave them in the car alone.
- Shorten the time of their exercises. Avoid strenuous exercises and high-intensity cardio. Take frequent breaks and only go out when it is the least hot.
Parasites
Just like how dogs like to play outdoors in the shade, different insects and parasites also stay in the shade during those times. Ensure your dog doesn’t stay in moist, shady areas, especially if the grass is long. Fleas, ticks, ear mites, and lice are some of the parasites you should look out for. Aside from bringing discomfort and rashes, these parasites can bring diseases. Some diseases may not be fatal, but if it is not treated, they can lead to organ problems and even death. Once you spot the signs that a parasite has bitten your dog, do not waste time; contact the vet immediately. Here are some symptoms of flea and tick bites:
- Scratching and discomfort in specific areas
- Skin irritation
- Fever
- Chills
- Poor or loss of appetite
- Rapid breathing
- Heavy or labored breathing
Bee and wasp stings
Dogs are playful and curious animals, so it is no surprise that they play with different animals and chase some of them. However, if they are unlucky, they would chase bees. Some dogs may even eat them, thus leading to a lot of bee stings. You should always check the places your dogs play, especially if they are puppies or haven’t seen bees before. There may also be beehives in your home, so do not forget to roam around your house to check. If your dog does get stung, here are the things you should do:
- Carefully remove the stinger. Use tweezers; it would be harder if the stinger breaks.
- Mix water and baking soda, then apply it to the stung area,
- Place an ice pack in the area. Doing this will help relieve the pain and lessen the swelling.
- Give your dog some water and observe them.
- Call your local vet and ask if they need to be taken to the clinic. If the veterinarian just suggests some medicine, purchase it and give it to them as soon as possible.
Dogs love to play outside but do not overlook the possibility of having hazards even in your own home. Ensure that your dogs are vaccinated and that they have an ample amount of water. Always check if your dog is doing fine, especially during the summer when there are many hazards surrounding them. Be creative and look for ways to cool them down while still having fun!