It's summertime and the living is hot. (We know the lyric should say easy, but this heat is anything but easy.) And with the heat comes issues with health and safety of our pets. While we may be able to speak out when something is wrong with us, our dogs can't do the same thing. Instead, we need to be paying attention to them and their needs.
A big issue with the heat of summer is dehydration. And for our dogs, it is definitely something we need to be mindful of. We already struggle to drink enough water, but what about our dogs? Are they getting what they need in order to stay hydrated during the hot days and nights?
We had the opportunity to ask Erin Askeland, the behavior and animal health expert at Camp Bow Wow, about dehydration in dogs. And one of the questions we wanted an answer to was how we can prevent dehydration before it happens in the summer.
How can we prevent dehydration in our dogs during the heat of summer?
According to Erin Askeland, there are at least seven key things that we can do during the summer to prevent our dogs from getting dehydrated. So what are the seven tips to stop our doggy dehydration?
"Constant Access to Water: Always provide fresh, cool water and ensure it is available both indoors and outdoors. Clean water bowls regularly and offer multiple sources.Erin Askeland
Avoid Peak Heat: Walk your dog early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler.
Shade and Rest: Ensure your dog has access to shaded areas when outside and provide plenty of opportunities for rest.
Hydrating Treats: Offer hydrating treats such as frozen pupsicles made with diluted broth or watermelon (without seeds).
Avoid Hot Surfaces: Pavement and sand can get extremely hot and can contribute to overheating and dehydration. Stick to grassy areas when walking your dog.
Monitor Activity Levels: Avoid intense exercise during hot weather. Shorter, more frequent play sessions are better than long, strenuous activities
Regular Breaks: During outdoor activities, take frequent breaks to allow your dog to drink water and cool down."
While some of these tips might seem rather obvious, that doesn't mean that there aren't times when we forget the more obvious things in life. We know we should be drinking more water, but that doesn't mean we do it. So of course, we might forget that our dog also needs plenty of water.
It is important to pay attention to what your dog is doing and how they are acting as it gets hotter. And making sure that you are doing these things can help prevent your dog from needing a trip to the vet.