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Ever wonder what breed of dog does best in the hot weather of our summer states or hot northern summers? You might be surprised; have a look here:
http://www.breederretriever.com/sort/11/best-dog-breeds-for-warm-weather-climates.php
Never leave your pet alone in a car during the summer.
A car can quickly turn into an oven, even with the windows slightly open. A car in direct sun can heat up to 120 degrees or more in about fifteen minutes, even with a window cracked a bit. It’s just plain dangerous to leave a pet in a car on a sunny day, even it it’s not a hot one.
Make sure your pet always has access to cool, clean water, especially in the summer heat. If you take your pet to the beach, be sure to provide ample shade as well, and hose him down after he has swum in salt water. And don’t let him drink the salt water; it will likely be very upsetting to his system.
Never let your pet run loose without identification and without your supervision. It will reduce the chance of injuries and pet theft, not to mention heat exhaustion from the running.
If you plan to take your pet on a long car trip, take him on several short trips to condition him for the journey and plan ahead so that he’s in tip-top health before you leave. Travel can be very stressful for a pet; try to eliminate as much of the stress as possible.
Always carry a gallon thermos filled with cold, fresh water when traveling with your pet.
The right time for playtime is in the cool of the early morning or evening, but never after a meal or when the weather is humid.
Be Street smarts: When the temperature is high, don’t leave your dog standing on hot asphalt. His or her body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.
A day at the beach is a no-no, unless you can guarantee a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water for your companion. Salty dogs should be rinsed off after a dip in the ocean.
Provide fresh water and plenty of shade for animals kept outdoors; a properly constructed doghouse serves best. Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day to rest in a cool part of the house.
Be especially sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather. Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus, as well as those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. And please be alert for coolant or other automotive fluid leaking from any vehicle. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste, and ingesting just a small amount can be fatal. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect that your animal has been poisoned.
Good grooming can stave off summer skin problems, especially for dogs with heavy coats. Shaving the hair to a one-inch length—never down to the skin, please, which robs Rover of protection from the sun—helps prevent overheating. Cats should be brushed often.
- Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.
To cool off an overheated dog, offer him plenty of water, then wet the dog's body and paws with cool water, then fan. A dog's normal internal body temperature is between 100.5 degrees F and 102 degrees F. If the dog experiences heatstroke or heat exhaustion, he should receive veterinary attention as soon as possible to avoid permanent damage.
Here’s one I experienced myself:
Prevent your dog from hanging his head out of a moving car or truck window when taking him for a ride. Bugs, small pebbles and other debri can injure his eyes, and he is also at risk of jumping out of the vehicle. Also, closing automatic car windows while your dog is hanging his head out of the car window can cause him or her serious harm.
I cracked the back passenger side window so he could stick his snout out and feel the fresh air. In doing so he managed to also get his head out, and in the process stepped on the window control, closing it on his head. Fortunately I heard him struggling and opened the window so he could dislodge himself. before he was injured. NOW I make sure only the driver can control the windows! A few more seconds, and, who knows ... ?
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