Hey, Pupvine, I’m a young Labradoodle and this is my first summer with my new hooman. We live in a really hot place and my hooman says summers are pretty rough, especially for smol puppers like me.
I already have worries about what I will do in the summer because I’m already feeling hot in my own coat.
Any advice for first-time puppers experiencing summer temperatures?
Thanks,
Arlo!
Well, hello, Arlo! Welcome to the world, little one.
Of course, I have some pretty nifty advice that will help both you and your owner deal with insane summer temperatures.
Ears open wide and listen to what I have to say.
1. Canine Sun Cream Is A Thing
Now, Arlo, I know you’re a Labradoodle, but I don’t know your coat color. Still, this doesn’t reduce the importance of applying sun cream.
I bet your owner didn’t know either that there are sun creams suitable for dogs.
You see, your light-colored buddies, especially pups with a short coat or those naked breeds have an incredibly high risk of getting sunburned.
However, it doesn’t matter if you’re yellow, red, black, or white… your owner should apply sun cream suitable for dogs every time you’re heading out.
Sensitive areas like ears, the nose, and the belly should be protected with sun cream so they don’t get burned. Believe it or not, your dog can definitely burn on its tiny nose and it can hurt like crazy.
2. Find A Shady Spot
You like spending all your time outside? That’s good, but only if you have natural shade in your backyard.
Listen, Arlo… hot summer days aren’t really the time to snooze outside all day long. You can go out and relax in the shade, but remember to come back inside after a while.
Don’t spend too much time in direct sunlight. When temperatures are insane, it only takes a couple of minutes for a dog to get a heatstroke. So, don’t risk it. It’s much more pleasant to chill outside in the evening, watching fireflies go by and smelling summer bonfires.
3. Reduce Your Exercise Routine
I know you’re an energetic pooch, especially since you’re still a young pupper, but hot summer days are no time for strenuous exercise.
This is the time when you have to adjust your time spent outside. Park visits should be brief and only in the morning or in the evening.
Instead of running, go with short walks. Don’t play crazy, energetic games outside… keep those for colder days or play inside if you have space.
If you stick to a strenuous workout regime, you’ll dehydrate pretty fast and risk overheating.
4. Play In The Water
Hey, Arlo… does your hooman have a pool or even a big backyard?
If he does, then you MUST ask him to let you in the pool. Or, at least buy you a kiddy pool! Or, even some sprinklers!
Water is so much fun (when you don’t have to take a bath, right?), and it will refresh you when you’re feeling too hot.
I bet your owner doesn’t allow you to get too wet outside of your bathing schedule. But, I’m pretty sure that even he wouldn’t say no to some fun water activities.
5. Stay Hydrated
No one says you should drink only bottled water. Fiji is too pricey for hoomans, not to mention for dogs.
Clean, crisp, fresh tap water will be just fine. Don’t let that water bowl get empty quickly. Let your hooman know you need more!
Dogs need to drink 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight. This is where your hooman has to do some math. Anything less than 1 ounce is not okay. Dogs need water as much as they need food.
Lack of water on a daily basis, especially in hot weather will bring you one step closer to dehydration.
6. Relax On Damp Towels
This may seem a bit funny, but it was a game changer when my AC broke down for a week and both my dog and I were exhausted from all that heat.
Of course, I had my icy water and popsicles, but my dog needed more refreshment. That’s when a friend of mine told me she damps towels and lets her dogs snooze on them. This helps their tummy and paw pads cool down.
And, no… it won’t help them catch a cold. It’s much worse for a dog to overheat than to get a cold.
Just remember to change the towels regularly since warm and damp places are ideal for bacterial growth.