Hey Woofa’s,

I was starting to wonder if Summer was ever going to show up!

But I can safely say it is finally here!!!!   Today we have a 34 degree day where I am.

There’s no secret that I LOVE summer!

The sun makes us want to go and cool down with some water!

Whether it’s at the beach, a pool, lake, dam, river, the sprinkler…………it’s important to stay safe.

Sadly, we’ve already had drownings this summer, which is not good.

We all need to be aware of how to keep cool this summer and to stay water safe.

This includes our dogs as well.

 

HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG COOL AND SAFE THIS SUMMER?

 

1. Don’t Take Your Dog For A Walk If The Temperature Is Too Hot!   Today we hit 34 degrees!!

Some summer days, just running on the footpath bare foot is enough to burn the crap out of YOUR feet!  Why would you want your dog to walk on that surface?

If you can’t place your bare hand on the footpath for longer than 5 minutes without removing it, then don’t walk your dog on it.

Wait until the temperature cools down, early in the morning or later in the evenings.

 

2. DO NOT Leave Your Dog In A Hot Car!  I can’t believe this STILL HAPPENS!!

How stupid are some people to think it’s okay to leave your dog in a hot car on a stinking hot day?

It only takes a few seconds for your dog to die in a hot car.

If you see a dog locked in a hot car, call the police!

If the dog is already passed out, I’d smash that window (regardless of the consequences) to get the dog out.

 

3. Watch for Any Changes In Your Dog!  Your dog’s behaviour may change in response to the hot weather and air quality, which is understandable.

It’s important to know what is normal behaviour for your dog and what is distressing behaviour.

A dog’s sense of smell is phenomenal they can smell smoke from miles away and they know when a storm is coming long before we do.

If in doubt, call your local trusted vet for instructions on the type of behaviour your dog is presenting with.

 

4. Stay As Cool As Possible!  Temperatures are definitely rising so where possible keep your dog cool.

Lots of water bowls inside and outside.  Make sure they have cool places to sleep and rest.

You don’t want your dog over heating.

The coolest rooms in the home are usually the bathroom and laundry.

Billy lays on our tiles on the floor.

 

5. Watch Your Dog Around Water!  If you have a pool and your dog is happy to go in, then obviously let them as long as they’re supervised.

Don’t think, ‘oh it’s a hot day, I’ll throw the dog in the pool’.  Not all dogs love going in the pool.

Some of my customer’s dogs have even accidentally fallen in the pool.

You want to make sure your dog cannot fit through your pool fence or gate.

Same goes if you’re at the beach, if your dog doesn’t want to go in, don’t force them.  They may be happy just walking in the water but not swimming in the water.

Even if your dog wants to play and catch the ball ALL the time while at the beach, be aware that swallowing too much sand and salt water can be harmful to your dog.

If you’re out boating and the dog is with you, make sure you have a doggy life vest for them.

Safety comes first when around water.

 

6. Your Dog Can Get Sunburnt!  Did you know this?  Well they can!

You can get all sorts of doggy sun protection stuff, including doggy sunglasses!!!

The most important ones you want to look at is a light swim vest (similar to those kids wear in the sun, but for dogs).

Also doggy sunscreen, especially if your dog is joining you out in the sun.

Everyone needs to be protected.

 

7. Be Aware Of Snakes and some Spiders!  Summer is snake season!!

It’s also the time we tend to be outdoors more, which means all the crawlies are out including spiders.

Some are harmless, others not so much.

We live in Australia, there’s going to be snakes about.

Be aware and vigilant about where you are walking i.e near long grass or even near stagnant water!

Basically, if you don’t disturb them they’ll leave you alone.  However, this can be done accidentally when not paying attention to where you are walking.

I’ve also heard of people being out on a picnic and a snake curling up under their car, so they brought the snake home with them!!!!

It’s important to have the local Snake Catcher or Wires numbers close by, as well as safety sheets on what to do if you or your dog gets bitten.

Also have your trusted local vets number on hand and know which vet has anti-venom on hand to get a quick treatment for your dog.

Snake bites can be fatal stay vigilant!

Take note if your dog is barking and focussing on one area in your yard, it could be a Blue tongue or it could be a curled up snake!!!

 

8. If Taking Your Dog On Holidays!  Be aware of all of the above as well as making sure it’s a dog friendly area you are going to.

If you go out for lunch/dinner, will you have to leave your dog behind in a strange holiday place?

This may freak them out and cause them to escape.

Is the yard/place secure enough for your dog?  Is there somewhere safe for your dog to rest and sleep?

What is the local vet’s number?

 

9. Storm Season!

I love storms, however they can send dogs absolutely crazy scared.

I met a new neighbour last weekend because we had a big storm and their dog escaped.  He’s a chihuahua so can easily slip out anywhere (they’re looking to find out where he got out).

Thankfully, in our area there’s a Facebook Page for Campbelltown, Lost Found and Injured Animals.  The people on there are lovely.

As soon as anyone sees a lost animal it’s generally posted in that group.  This is where we found my neighbours dog and were able to bring him home safely, after 4 hours of running around though.

So, make sure your house and yard are secure and your dog can’t escape.

Be aware of any groups  that you can look at or post on if your dog does happen to escape.

Also, ring around all your local vets, rescues and pounds, some people hand them in to facilities as well.

 

10. Have An Evacuation Plan In Place!    Summer, sadly, can mean fire season.

The weather heats up, some stupid people light fires on purpose, or lightening strikes start them, people smoking etc regardless of how they start, fires are about.

If you live near a potential fire zone or are holidaying near one, it’s always important to have a fire plan in place.

One that includes ALL pets.

When people are in watch and alert mode they evacuate ALL their pets, horses, cattle, dogs, everything goes.

Be aware of the  places that are available to take your pets to safety, or take them with you.

If you can’t get to them, find someone who may be able to.

 

11. Don’t Take Your Dog For A Walk If The Air Quality Is Crap!  If there is smoke blowing around don’t walk your dog.

It will affect not only your dog’s breathing but your own.

If your dog needs exercise, find some indoor activities until the air quality improves.

 

12. Make Sure Your Dog Has Plenty Of Water In Their Dishes!  Some dogs love splashing around in their water dish and there’s nothing wrong with that!

However, you’ve also got to make sure they have a bowl they can’t splash in but can drink from.

Keep their dishes out of the sun, and have more than one dish available to them.

Billy has two outside water dishes and one inside in our bathroom.

 

13. Keep Up To Date With What’s Happening In Your Local Area!   

Through your local Council, the News, Local Facebook Pages, Phone Apps, be aware of any emergencies that may be occurring near you, changes in weather patterns and rising temperatures or whether there have been snakes in the area etc.

 

 

I don’t say any of this to scare anyone, I just want people to be aware.

I would like people to finally be able to have fun, but be aware of our Summer and what can come with it.

We want to keep everyone including our pets, safe.

 

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

Summer is here and it’s fun in the sun time.

We want to keep up with the mantra of keeping everyone safe.

This includes our pets.

Go through the list above and make sure you’re aware of what is about – BE SAFE AND HAVE FUN IN THE SUN!

 

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT SUMMER?