Tag: dog safety

3 {Paw}esome Tips for Beating the Summer Heat

Posted on Staff

This article originally appeared in Southern Paws and Tails Magazine.

dog beating the summer heat on a boat

The dog days of summer are HERE, so it’s time for a reminder about your role in helping every member of your household beat the heat.

Stop sweating it and try out these wag-tastic tips for keeping your furry loved ones cool!

Keep ‘em Hydrated

Dogs and cats don’t have sweat glands in the same way that people do, which is why a lot of their body temperature regulation is done through panting. When your pet is panting heavily, it is in danger of becoming dehydrated.

Because you’re the one with opposable thumbs, it falls on you to keep your fur-babies’ water bowls full. Adding ice to the bowl helps to cool things down and can keep your pet entertained.

Another way to help your pets with beating the summer heat is by installing a doggy door to allow them to go freely between the outdoors for fun in the sun and quenching their thirst at the lake’s edge.

Be cautious, however, since some bodies of water can contain microorganisms that can be bad for your pet’s health.

Take a Swim

Taking a swim with your pet in your favorite lake will bring down body temperature and is one of the quickest ways to help your pets with beating the summer heat.

But before you dive in, make sure your pet is prepared. Don’t assume every dog knows how to swim instinctively; particularly those with big chests and tiny legs. Certain builds and breeds can struggle in the water and might require an animal life vest to enjoy the lake. Stay close initially until you’re sure your pet is a natural swimmer.

Also, think about how they will get into and out of the water. Access is often achieved by simply jumping from your home’s deck or dock into the lake, so you should make sure your structures are free of protruding nails and screws that could injure your pets when they jump.

Access to an exit from the water is very important. If your dock lacks stairs, you may want to add a ramp to the nearby shore.

And be sure to check the water level to make sure it is deep enough for your pets to jump into the water safely. Submerged hazards are just as dangerous for Fido as they are for you.

Provide Some Shade

Providing shade for your pet in the warmest parts of the day is important for beating the summer heat.

Shade trees are an instinctive choice for many pets who need to cool down. But if your lake home is short on natural shade, you can create a fur-friendly corner of your shaded deck by setting up a small fan, a water bowl and a cool mat or wet towel to lie on.

You can set up a similarly shady spot away from the house with a big beach or market umbrella to produce artificial shade.

Pets are important members of the family. Following these simple tips can keep them healthy and let them enjoy the lake as much as their human companions.

For more on keeping your pet safe at the lake, check out these great stories: “Protecting Your Pets: Animal Safety While Showing Your Home” and “Pet Travel: How to Prepare Your Pet for a Trip to the Lake“.

Keep Your Dog Safe at the Lake

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

Lake dogVacations and trips to the lake home are always memorable but imagine this, it’s a beautiful day, you’re with your family and friends and one of the kids tosses a toy in the lake, your healthy and lovable dog swims to get the toy but he gets too far and though the owner is calling him back, he is not listening.

Many times there is more than one toy, your dog will try to retrieve it, and sometimes it becomes difficult for the dog to grab two toys at once. Though they are strong swimmers, their enthusiasm and excitement can take them towards danger; here is how to keep your dog safe at the lake.

Here are some tips to help you keep your Pet safe:

1. Not All Pets are Great Swimmers

It is great to have confidence in your pet. Let’s say you have a dog, now dogs are excellent swimmers but unfortunately, they have a limit and can drown. The best thing that you can do is to take the same safety precautions as you do with children

2.   You can Teach an Old Dog new Tricks

Talking specifically about dogs, the concept that all dogs can paddle is a misconception. Not all dogs can paddle and that is why it’s a great idea to teach them. You can take your dog in a pool and teach him to stay afloat while using his legs. If there is a lot splashing and if the body is vertical in water, then this means that your dog needs some training.

   3.  Life Jackets

You can use life jackets to train your pet how to swim and if you are at the lake or on boat fishing, it’s a good idea to put a life jacket on your pet. Some animals love water, but their enthusiasm can get the best of them. Therefore a life jacket is practical, many owners feel that their pet may look “funny” in a life jacket, but that is not the case.

Safety comes first and its always better to be safe than sorry.

In the end the majority of dogs are great natural swimmers and are great around the water, but it is always better to “test the waters” with them before a a day on the boat or by the dock.

Pet Travel: How to Prepare Your Pet for a Trip to the Lake

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

Dog at lakeA trip to the lake with the entire family is truly a special experience, but spending time on the lake just isn’t the same without your pet(s).

Trying to find a place for your pet to stay while you’re away from home can be an expensive hassle.  While many people wouldn’t even consider leaving their pets behind, pet travel certainly does have its own unique set of challenges.

If you do decide to take your pet with you, be sure to use the following tips to prepare your pet for the trip: Continue reading “Pet Travel: How to Prepare Your Pet for a Trip to the Lake”