Congratulations on your new puppy! This is the first summer you’ll spend with your puppy, and you want to make it a fabulous one. Before you grab those little doggles for the pool and pick out a kayak to fit both of you with plenty of room, you’ll want to know a few things about puppy summer safety.
At Pawrade, we take the safety and health of your puppy seriously. We want your puppy to experience all life has to offer as your best friend. Now that summer is in full swing, we’ve presented several ways to keep your pet safe this summer in scorching temperatures. Here is a compilation of our popular blogs addressing summer safety tips for dogs so you can have a healthy, worry-free, action-packed summer with your puppy.
Summer Safety Topics For Puppies
Unlike milder seasons of spring and fall, summer presents its own challenges when trying to keep your puppy cool, comfortable, and healthy. Let’s examine canine summer safety tips so you can read about each one more in-depth if it piques your interest.
Schedule a wellness appointment
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially in the summer months. Start off your summer with a puppy wellness checkup. Your vet will see if your puppy is current on all core puppy vaccinations, including rabies and preventative flea, tick, and heartworm treatments for puppies. Your veterinarian will also advise if you need any additional vaccinations due to your geographic location and the future activities you have planned. For example, different types of ticks carrying Lyme disease are more prevalent in certain areas of the country, or your vet may prescribe certain medications to have on hand if you are hiking in the backcountry with your puppy if something like giardia could be an issue. When in doubt, always ask the expert!
Visit a groomer
It’s always a good idea to get your puppy looking dapper for the summer months with nails trimmed for healthy paws and a shorter cut to keep cool, especially for dogs with curly hair like doodle dogs or those with continuously growing hair like humans. Pawrents have several summer dog haircut and styling options to choose from that not only keep your puppy cool but also look great, too. The aptly named Summer Cut removes excess hair without compromising the coat’s functionality. The Puppy Cut focuses on leaving the same amount of hair all over the body, such as hair growing one inch from the skin with a uniform look.
You may wonder about how your double-coated dog is faring in the heat. However, never shave a double-coated dog because you think all that fur makes them hot! In contrast, a double coat acts as a built-in natural air conditioner, trapping cool air between the rough guard hairs in the overcoat and the soft, downy undercoat. Shaving a double-coated dog could destroy this self-regulating system and leave your puppy more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and even sunburn. If you do have a dog with thick fur, such as Bernese Mountain Dog or St. Bernard, you can have their hair clipped or trimmed as long as the cut maintains some distance between the tip of the hair and the skin. A reputable groomer will know how to shorten their fur without ruining the coat’s purpose.
Know the signs of poisoning, heat stroke, and dehydration in puppies
The summer months mean more time spent outdoors while bonding with your puppy, but too much fun in the sun can cause major problems for your puppy. If you spend a lot of time out in nature or even in your own backyard, puppies can ingest or brush up against plants that are toxic to dogs and can cause poisoning – or worse. Learn to identify toxic plants and keep them away from your puppy by paying attention, walking them on a leash, and examining your landscaping for dangerous plants like rhododendrons, hydrangeas, daisies, fruit and nut trees, and more.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke in puppies can be a sudden emergency when your puppy is out in the scorching sun for long periods. Heat-related illnesses occur when a puppy’s body temperature exceeds a normal range, often rising quickly to fatal levels if not addressed right away. Check your puppy for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, such as excessive panting, lethargy, mobility issues, red eyes and gums, and other concerning behavior. If you suspect an issue, remove your puppy from the sun and pour cool (not cold) water all over their body, especially their underside and paws, while you call the vet for further instructions.
Puppies are cute when they try to catch the water stream coming out of the hose. They rely on you to give them continuous access to an abundance of fresh, clean, cool water. Most puppies can regulate their mild dehydration and run straight for the water bowl after romping around in the sun. However, some puppies may struggle to take in enough water. Monitor your puppy to make sure they have plenty of opportunities to drink water. Look for signs of dehydration in puppies, including dark urine, infrequent urination, decreased skin elasticity, sunken eyes, a dry nose, and other symptoms.
Keep cool in fun ways
There are so many more interesting options to choose from when keeping your puppy cool in the summertime than just lying around in the shade. While yes, shade is important, go beyond by creating a dog-friendly backyard or outdoor area suitable for those hot days. Include plants that are safe for dogs, clearing out overgrown bushes or stagnant water spots, cooling stations, and every puppy’s favorite – water activities!
Puppies love playing in hoses, splash pads, sprinklers, and other exciting water-related toys. Many of them contain interactive components that help keep a puppy busy and mentally stimulated. These water-based toys are also a hit with children, so the entire family can have a blast from a chilly stream or spray of water on a hot day.
Essential summer gear for puppies can prove invaluable in keeping your puppy cool. Something as simple as a collapsible water bowl doesn’t take up much room and can be carried with you on outings for constant access to fresh water on the go. Consider a cloth sail to create a shady corner. Cooling mats and pads for dogs help a puppy regulate his temperature and utilize materials like pressure-activated gel beads, and scratch-resistant fabric that’s easy to clean and can be found in sizes from the tiniest of toy dog breeds to the largest of sprawlers. Don’t forget about proper paw care for puppies when you take your puppy on daily walks. The temperature on surfaces like asphalt and concrete can soar way above the air’s temperature, damaging your puppy’s paws. Protect your puppy’s paws by either taking early morning and late evening walks when surfaces have had a chance to cool off or by purchasing paw booties for dogs to wear on hot surfaces.
Going on safe summer puppy adventures
Summertime is a perfect season for outdoor adventures, whether you travel on a long road trip or stay close to home. Maintaining puppy safety on outings can ensure everyone has a fantastic time.
If you’re taking your puppy on a road trip, brush up on car safety for dogs before you climb into the driver’s seat. Purchase a sturdy collar with identification tags, and microchip your puppy with your current information in case you get separated. Pack gear like extra food and water, a small dog first aid kit, a sturdy leash, and of course, plenty of waste bags. Use a seatbelt for dogs to reduce the chances of serious injuries during a crash. Follow business and lodging rules when looking for pet-friendly spaces. Above all, take lots of pictures to preserve your memories!
Beautiful summer days with great weather are practically begging for a water-related adventure with your puppy. Whether you are spending the day with your puppy on a pontoon boat, kayaking in the sound, splashing around at the local swimming hole, or even teaching your dog to surf, following swimming and boating safety measures for puppies will ensure a safe, fun time. If you check with your vet to see if your dog breed is compatible with swimming, use a doggy life jacket, pay attention to the weather report, and follow local laws and posted signs, your puppy will be standing at the helm as your official masthead.
Protecting your puppy from fires is crucial, especially when fireworks, grills, and campfires are more prevalent in the summer months. Luckily, you can practice fire safety for puppies with easy preventative measures. Conduct a thorough sweep of your home to remove possible catastrophic situations, such as switching to flameless candles, removing stove burner knobs, and securing grills in a puppy-safe area. If you leave your puppy behind during dog-free adventures, affix a sticker to your main entrance alerting first responders of pets in the home. Position a crate near the entrance, and have your puppy wear a collar with your contact information.
Pawrade is a Safe Bet for Puppy Adoption
At Pawrade, we pride ourselves on providing a premier puppy adoption experience, from the moment you click the heart button to finally having your puppy shower you with little licks and kisses.
You can have peace of mind knowing you’ll have a whole team working with you and your breeder to facilitate any questions you may have. You can rest assured our scam-free transactional management system keeps your information safe and keeps a record of all communication and important information in one spot. We’ll never ask you to pay with gift cards, money orders, or other unsecure apps. Our process is a safe way to select one of our puppies for sale to have as your furever friend! We can’t wait to work with you for a sizzlin’ safe summer with your new puppy!
