It’s probably safe to say that you’re experiencing incredibly warm temperatures in your corner of the world. Here in Arizona, we’ve hit the triple digits multiple times! Hot weather can be great, especially if you enjoy being outside in the pool or at the splash park. But what about our furry friends? You have heard it before and you’ll hear it again: high humidity and scorching temperatures can be incredibly dangerous for our four-legged companions. Let’s chat about ways to keep your pet comfortable while spending time outside.

This post is a reminder of the most important things to do to help ensure the safety of your pets during the dog days of summer. Read the following suggestions for a quick refresher if you plan to be outside with your pet this summer. As always, have fun and stay safe!

Water, water and more water. If you are planning to be outside with your pet any longer than 5 to 10 minutes, make sure there is fresh water readily available. Put the bowl of water near a shaded area, if possible, to keep the sun from beating down on them as they drink. If you are out and about, bring a bottle of water and a collapsible bowl for easy storage.

Time for a spa day! Do you have a breed of dog with thick or long hair? Now is the time to chop it off. Visit the groomer frequently during the hot summer months to maintain a shorter and cooler coat for your pet. Consider purchasing clippers for yourself to keep up with their hair in between visits. Tip: Some dogs can get a sunburn. Be sure to apply sunscreen to their skin if you do get their hair cut short or if they have white hair, short hair or light colored fur. Pit Bulls are especially susceptible to sunburns.

Don’t leave your pet in the car. You knew this one was going to come up, didn’t you? This is just an important reminder to never leave your pet in the car, even for a few minutes. Simply don’t do it.

Avoid hot cement. You may not notice it on your feet, but driveways and sidewalks can get dangerously hot this time of the year. In Arizona some forms of artificial grass can also get uncomfortably warm. If you want to take you dog for a walk, do so while it’s cooler outside. Some people even use little booties for their pet to protect their paws. Take this tip seriously. Hot cement can severely burn the soft pads of their paws. Ouch!

Not all dogs want to swim. If you’ve always owned Labrador Retrievers your entire life, you may not believe this one. Some dogs can’t and don’t want to swim! You might think that spending a day at the lake with your dog is a great way to encourage exercise and swimming, while cooling off. You could be wrong. Some dogs simply don’t want to get wet. Be conscious of this before you take your dog swimming.

There are many things to keep in mind during the hot summer months and these are just a few. If you take the time to plan ahead and remember a few of these quick tips you might be able to avoid a serious problem like heat stroke. Do you have any other warm weather tips to share with fellow pet owners? Join in the conversation on our Facebook page and let us know what you do to keep your pets comfortable.

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