

DOG / health & care
Heat and Summer Safety Tips for Dogs
How to help prevent sunburn, dehydration and overheating
Overview
Staying cool
Very high temperatures can be dangerous for dogs. These Do’s and Don’ts will help keep your pet safe:
- DON’T ever leave your pet in a parked car or truck, not even “just for a minute” and not even with the windows down. The temperature inside a parked vehicle can reach a deadly 160 degrees in five minutes.
- DO keep your dog well-groomed so they’re not carrying around excess fur.
- DO consider a cooling bed or pad for your dog.
- DON’T forget sunscreen. Dogs can get sunburn too, so apply a little dog-safe SPF on their noses, ears and other areas where their coat doesn’t cover the skin.
- DO hydrate your hound. Keep your dog’s water bowl full and away from the sun. Always bring water and a portable bowl along if you take your dog on outings.
- DON’T walk your dog on hot pavement. It can burn their paws.
- DO stick to grassy and shaded areas during walks.
- DO consider investing in a cooling vest, bandanna or collar for the outdoors.
- DO put your dog in a life jacket if you’re headed to a lake or body of water.