It’s Summer Time! It’s FUN spending time outdoors with your dog but hot temps can be dangerous. Be a responsible pet parent and be smart about the dangers that could threaten your dog’s life.

Mediaplanet’s 7 Summer Safety tips For Your Pets featured in their Pet Wellness campaign has inspired us to create our own Summer Safety Tips For Your Dog.

1) Beat The Heat

• Heat Stroke: Dogs are susceptible to overheating and getting heat stroke. It is very important to be aware at all times and recognize the signs of heat stroke. Take immediate preventive measures once your dog suffers from excessive panting and salivation. Heat stroke can be fatal and can cause nausea, loss of consciousness, brain damage and even death of your dog.
• Stay Hydrated: Make sure your dog has access to plenty of drinking water. During the hot days of summer, make sure your dog stays cool and well hydrated.
• Walk with Caution: Take walks in the early morning or evenings, when the sun’s heat is less intense. Avoid vigorous exercises on hot days.
• Prevent Sunburn: Dogs’ skin are at risk from the sun, especially dogs that are shaved, pink skin, have short and white fur. Only use sunscreen specifically made for dogs. Make sure to also apply to your dog’s nose and ears.
• Hot Pavement: Avoid blacktop street asphalt, it gets very HOT! Prolonged Exposure on hot asphalt can burn your dog’s paws. Wear proper paw protective gear, if needed.

2) Be Cool in the Water

• Use a Lifejacket: When swimming make sure your dog wears a bright colored lifejacket even if your dog knows how to swim.
• Strong Tides: Always keep an eye on your dog. Your dog can be easily swept away, be aware of upcoming strong tides.
• Exits Steps: On pools, make sure your dog knows where the exit ramps and steps are located.
• Blue-Green Algae: Avoid ponds, lakes, and rivers that have blue green algae water, which produces a high volume of toxins. Dogs are susceptible to the toxic algae if they get it on their fur, skin and lick it or ingest it by drinking the water.

3) Tasty Family Cookout

• Hot Grill: Keep your dog away from the grill. Your dog should not be allowed near the grill even after cooking, as it remains hot for a while.
• Table Scraps: Resist your dog’s begging eyes. Table Scraps can be harmful to a dog’s weight and overall health.

4) Fun on the Road

• Buckle Up: Secure your dog in the backseat with a safety harness or pet carrier. It is unsafe to let your dog ride in the front seat.
• Don’t Leave Your Dog In The Car: On hot days, its better for your dog to stay cool at home. Leaving your dog in a closed vehicle is dangerous. The temperature inside a car can rise to over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes.

5) Icy Treats

• Beat the HEAT with refreshing Red White and Blue Tasty Icy Treats, PAWfect for celebrating July 4th and Labor Day.

Have a SAFE Summer!

How do you help your pets cope with the Summer heat? How do you keep your pets healthy in the Summer time?
Share your answer with Mediaplanet in the Pet Wellness Giveaway Page for a chance to win a healthy pet prize pack, full of Zuke’s treats – valued at $80! (giveaway ends 6/30)

This is a sponsored post by Mediaplanet.
Golden Woofs is being compensated for this collaboration post. Golden Woofs only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers.

** 5 Summer Activities For Your Dog **