Warm weather is here and you and your four-legged best friend couldn’t be more excited. There are new sights, smells, critters, and other canines to meet and adventures to go on. It’s time to cruise with the windows down and let your furry friend’s ears flap in the wind. And with the excitement of summer upon us, it’s extremely important not to forget that as temperatures begin to rise, so do the risks of your dog experiencing dehydration and heat stroke. More outdoor adventures and play time also brings more exposure to unwanted pests. New scenery can lead to distracted and wandering dogs.
Your dog relies on you to keep him safe. It is important to make your pet’s safety and good health high on your priority list, especially when out camping. Here are some tips on how to keep your pet safe during the months with warmer temperatures.
- Never leave your dog in a hot RV or tow vehicle
You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s a very important tip to follow. Heat strokes, suffocation, and dehydration can happen in just minutes! We all know Michigan summers consist of hot and muggy days. Outside, it might be 70 degrees, but inside your RV, it can be several degrees hotter.
Although most RVs are air conditioned, be aware that it is not always the best decision to leave a dog unattended. During the summer months, outages sometimes cause the conditioning unit to be impacted. Be conscious and take precautions. There are many generators that can be purchased if service is interrupted. There are also temperature-monitoring devices that alert owners when their RV becomes too hot or cold. Although these devices are promising, never leave your RV without a door or window cracked, just in case.
- Protect your dog from pests
The brutal winter has once again left us with prime pest conditions. Make sure to treat your canine for ticks, fleas, mosquitos, and other parasites. These are not only dangerous to your pet’s health, but in some cases, they can be passed onto their owners as well!
- Cooled off paws are cool
The sun cooks everything – asphalt, metal, you name it. All these places are where your pet more than likely roams. Exposure to hot surfaces can burn your dog’s paws and can lead to overheating. Kiddie pools are available for purchase at many local stores and are a great way to keep your canine cool while enjoying the outdoors!
- Proper ID is key
Now that the ground is clear, it is not uncommon for dogs to adventure off, especially if you are staying at a new RV park this year with a bunch of new smells and new canine neighbors. It is important that your pet has a collar and tag with proper and updated information – your full name; at least one phone number for contact, and it should be a phone number of the phone you have with you; and the word “Reward.” If you choose to put your dog’s name on the collar, just be forewarned: While it might help with some people in controlling the dog and making him or her less apprehensive until you can be tracked down, with more unscrupulous people it can lead simply to an easier dog-napping now that they know your dog’s name. If you haven’t done so already, it is wise to get your dog micro chipped as collars and tags are often removed or lost.
- Fresh drinking water + shade = your dog’s best friend
Depending on the breed, extra fur can make it difficult for certain dogs to effectively cool themselves, and they’ll depend on you for assistance. It is important to keep your pet in the shade as often as possible to prevent heat stroke. Make sure their water bowl is always full. The warmer your dog gets, the thirstier they become, and because dogs don’t sweat like we do, panting and drinking are the most effective ways for them to cool themselves.
It is proven that dogs can actually get sunburned, too. Dogs with shorter hair, white fur, or pink skin are more susceptible. Limiting the amount of direct exposure your dog gets is important.
- Dogs are not always natural born swimmers
Owners often make the assumption that their best friend can swim very well. Although it is a canine instinct to swim, they could struggle with getting in and out of the water. Make sure to always supervise your pet around all forms of water.
- Keep your dog on a leash
As stated before, there are often many new scents, sights, and other dogs running around an RV park. It is important to keep your dog on a leash – a rule in many campground, parks, and resorts – to avoid losing them or causing an altercation with a neighbor’s pet, and to make sure they don’t get distracted and bolt. Be knowledgeable of your surroundings and your dog’s tendencies. Just because they may be a good listener in one lot, does not mean they’ll be a good listener at another.
- Exercise your dog early in the day
During the early morning hours, temperatures are cooler and more bearable for your pet. The extreme temperatures in the afternoon and evening increase the likelihood of dehydration and heat stroke. Surfaces are also cooler in the morning hours as well, creating a lower risk of burned paws.
- Be conscious of scraps your dog eats
Outdoor meals and grilling are popular during the warmer months. Just because your dog may be begging you to drop a piece of burger does not mean you should give it to him. It is important to remember that human food can be poisonous or cause serious digestive complications for your pet. Keep alcohol away from your pets and avoid their coming in contact with raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate, and products with the sweetener xylitol.
- Fireworks are not pet friendly
Unlike their wooed owners, most dogs have a serious fear of the loud noises and bright light that fireworks give off. It is important to leave your pet inside and at home when attending these events. Exposure to lit fireworks, even sparklers, can cause serious burns and trauma to curious pets. Not only are the sights and sounds hazardous, the fireworks themselves, used or unused, contain many toxic substances. This could be a problem if you’re doing fireworks yourself; your dog could get in the way of a firing firework (if the dog is outside with you) or find it a good idea to munch on leftover containers. Pick up everything as soon as possible.
Summer and RVing with your dog are meant to be fun, but it is also important to be aware of your dog’s health, indoor and outdoor temperatures, and what is going on around you. It is up to you to keep your four-legged friend safe. Follow these tips to enjoy the warm weather with your dog.