Common Summertime Issues Affecting Dogs

All pet owners will want to make sure their animals spend as much time as possible outside this summer. The hot weather has arrived, and most of us humans are melting in the heat. Just imagine how uncomfortable you would feel wearing a fur coat right now. It doesn’t bear thinking about, does it? Well, your dog is dressed in a jacket of that nature all the time. So, you need to ensure you don’t leave it cooped up inside the house. That just isn’t fair. However, there are many issues you could face if you allow your canine to spend most of their time outside. I’m going to discuss some of the most common ones in this article so you can prepare. Don’t worry about anything. There is always a solution.

Dogs become too hot in the sun
As I have just explained, it makes sense that your dog is going to feel too hot if they spend a lot of time outside. Shaving their coat isn’t a reasonable option, so you have to use your head. If you plan to leave your dog in the garden for any length of time, you have to ensure there is a shaded area. If you don’t have any trees your friend can hide underneath, just try to create something. Hanging washing on your line could solve the problem in most instances. Whatever you decide, just create an area in which your dog can get themselves out of direct sunlight. If you do that, you shouldn’t have too many problems.

Dogs can become dehydrated
Massive increases in body temperature can make a dog dehydrated. When that happens, they can become ill fast. So, you need to ensure there is always water available for your pooch. It’s sensible to place their bowl in the shaded area you’ve created. That way, you will help to point the dog in the right direction. If you think your dog has become ill due to a lack of water, you need to encourage them to drink as much as possible. That is the case, even if it means pouring the liquid into their mouth. You can usually tell if your dog needs a drink by touching his or her nose. If it’s wet, they’re probably okay.

Dogs can pick up ticks and other infestations
During the summertime, it’s sensible to keep some tick medicine for dogs at home. That is because your animal might spend time rolling around in the long grass. When they do that, it’s possible they will attract unwanted insects and bugs. An infestation can start from a single tick, and so it’s not worth taking the risk. If you know your dog has spent hours lying on the grass, you should give them some medication as a precaution. It’s relatively safe, and so you shouldn’t have any issues. If you do have any concerns, just consult your vet and ask for advice.

Hopefully, the information on this page will help to guarantee your dog remains a happy chap this summer. At the end of the day, you just have to use some common sense. You wouldn’t leave a child outside in the sun without shade and enough water. So, make sure you apply the same logic to your animals. They are living creatures too, and you don’t want them to become ill.