5 tips to get your dogs summer ready

The summers months in the Middle East are very harsh for our dogs. So, here are some tips to ensure our dogs are summer ready.

Tip #1: Walkie time must be adjusted. As the weather gets hotter the best time to walk our dogs is either early in the morning around sunrise and only after sundown in the evening. Overall, as the heat increases long walks are risky. Shorter are advisable.

Tip #2: Keep your dogs hydrated. Clean drinking water is vital for dogs, all-year round, but especially so during summer. Besides cleaning and refilling the water bowls from time-to-time during the day, think about carrying a small water bottle while stepping out for walks. If your dog heats up, it is advisable to find a shaded area and let them have a cool drink.

Tip #3: A cooling vest is a good option. Before stepping out for a walk, you can dampen the vest or collar and then put it on your dog. It really helps to keep them cool, and it is not too expensive (approximately AED75 for the vest). One cooling vest can be used for a couple of seasons based on the quality of the product. Cooling mats are also available, but a DIY (do-it-yourself) hack is to use cool towels and ice cubes.

Tip #4: A cool summer trim is a good idea. If you have a dog, you will know the importance of grooming. It is just like us humans bathing and brushing our teeth every day. Especially during summer, a cool trim might be good for dogs with long coat, curly coat and wire-haired. Along with the coat, look after their paws too as heat can cause irritation. Think about investing in a safe, dog-friendly sunscreen. Sunscreen is essential for breeds such as Mexican Hairless, Chinese Crested and American Hairless Terrier, among others. These dogs run the risk of getting sunburnt, just like humans would if we didn’t wear our protective layer of sunscreen. Caution: Do not even think of using your sunscreen on your dog.

Tip #5: You could consider day care + swimming sessions. Dogs get to play and exercise, but in a temperature-controlled, well-monitored environment. Several doggie day cares also have swimming pools for dogs to splash around. For dogs that love water, this is a great option. Another option is to buy a paddle pool (prices starting AED60) and let your pooches have fun at home.

Some things to watch out for:
Besides the above tips, always watch out for any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms such as excessive panting, drooling, prolonged diarrhoea, listlessness and lack of appetite, among others. If you notice any of these symptoms, the best option is to go for a vet check-up. One last word – please do not leave your dog in the car or outside a supermarket as they will heat up quickly.