Summer Outdoor Dog Tips

Hot summer temps can often change your daily routine with your pet. Depending on where you live, it may be too hot to take your pet outside during the day. Pet owners must take precautionary steps to make sure their pets are adequately hydrated and not overheating when playing outdoors during the summer.

• Avoid Pavement in Hot Weather: Your dog has very sensitive paw pads, and the hot asphalt during the summer months can burn them. Instead, opt to walk your pet on grass or plan your walks during the early morning/late evening when the pavement is not as hot.
• Know the Symptoms of Heat stroke: Dogs cannot cool down as easily as humans and are more likely to suffer heat stroke during the summer. The symptoms of overheating include excessive panting, drooling, sluggish and unresponsiveness. Dogs with thick coats, short muzzles and heart or breathing problems are at greater risk for heat stroke and should remain indoors with air conditioning during extremely hot days.
• Refill Pet Medications/Combat Fleas and Ticks: Insect populations increase during the summer months, escalating the chances that your pet will come into contact with ticks and fleas. Make sure that your pet is up-to-date with their heartworm shots and refill their flea and tick medications.

About The World Wide Pet Industry Association
The World Wide Pet Industry Association, Inc. ® (WWPIA) is the oldest pet industry organization promoting responsible growth and development of the companion pet and related products and services. As society's "humanization" of pets grows stronger, WWPIA knows it is important to inform and educate the general public to ensure safe and healthy lifestyles for our animal friends. For more information on WWPIA, please visit http://www.wwpia.org/.

For more information, please read Keeping Your Dog Cool This Summer.