It’s that time again…
No, we’re not talking about puppies. (Though that may be on the horizon, too.)
It’s high summer up here in beautiful central New York. The trees are green, the sky is blue, the days are warm. Oh man, are they warm.
And we at Cailleach are always on the go. Dog shows, training, agility, you name it, everything is going on in the summer. And even when it’s not all about the dogs, we love to bring one or two along for a picnic or a party, or just a ride downtown for some ice cream. We spend a lot of time in the car.
We know how great it is to take your dog with you.
But if you’ve got to do errands, run in and out of the bank or the grocery store, even if it’s “just for a minute,” please think twice before you bring your dog along for the ride. You never know when there’s going to be a line or a delay and suddenly a couple minutes turns into 20 or more.
Dogs are even more sensitive to the heat than us people–they can only cool themselves through their tongues and the pads of their feet–and on hot days, the temperature inside a car, even with the windows cracked, can reach 120 degrees in as little as 20 minutes. At those temperatures, a dog can suffer heatstroke in as few as ten minutes. (Even on cool days, the temperature inside a parked car can quickly reach the point where it’s dangerous for your dog.)
If you see a dog alone in parked car, even if the dog looks okay, make sure you notify store security, your local police department, or animal rescue (you’ve got those last two numbers programmed in your cell phone, right?) You should also wait by the car to monitor the dog’s condition and help police or emergency services find it more quickly.
It’s not just inside parked cars, either. Hot days can be dangerous for a dog outside, too. If you’re going to be out and about with your dog, take into account the weather and choose someplace with plenty of shade and areas your dog can cool off. Instead of a sandy beach with no trees, go to a lake with a grassy shore and plenty of shade. If you’re going to a ball game or open air concert in a park, make sure there are places your dog can be out of the sun before you bring him along.
Some other summer tips:
- Always make sure you have a supply of cold water and a travel dish. You can freeze water in plastic bottles the night before (leave the top off). As it melts, you’ll have cold water available.
- Take frequent rests in the shade to let your dog cool off.
- Try to stay off pavement and on dirt or grass. On hot days asphalt can melt and stick to a dog’s paws.
- Always know the signs of heat stroke in dogs.
Wishing you and your dog a safe and happy summer!
Becky :: Jul.19.2010 :: Dog Blog, Health, News, Safety :: No Comments »
