Though summer is all about fun and relaxation, the heat can sneak up on us fast, and our dogs feel it even more than we do. With all that fur, limited ways to cool down, and the sensitive pads on their feet, it doesn’t take long for our furry companions to get overheated. Get ready for a tail-wagging season with these tips to protect your dog from the heat. FETCH THAT WATER BOWL Hydration is essential for your dog year-round, but it’s especially important to ensure your pet is drinking enough water when it’s hot outside. Place multiple water bowls around your home and yard to encourage your furry friend to sip frequently throughout the day. If you’re traveling, hiking, or having a day at the park, bring a collapsible dog bowl with you so your dog can access water on the go. Dehydration can seriously impact your dog, so look out for symptoms like sunken eyes, dry mouth, excess panting, vomiting, or diarrhea. Dog Days of Summer How to Keep Your Pup Happy and Hydrated
Getting your kids outdoors to enjoy nature is a goal worth pursuing, but smartphones, video games, and social media have made it far more challenging in recent years. We celebrated Earth Day on April 22, and a nature walk is a great way to keep the appreciation for nature going. Planning games, creative projects, and other challenges to engage them during your hike can get kids involved from the start. Choose a trail that isn’t too difficult, and allow your children to wander and explore. If your children have a creative flair, encourage them to collect dried leaves, pieces of bark, seed pods, sticks, and other items to use in a collage. For adventurous kids, you can draft an age-appropriate list for a scavenger hunt to keep them from growing bored on the walk. You can include different insects native to your area, specific colors of leaves, and types of flowers, and you can even have them keep an ear out for different bird calls. Challenge your kids to make a list of all the plants or animals they can identify while they walk. Apps like Leafsnap help you identify plants using photos of their leaves or other parts. Additionally, the Arbor Day Foundation offers an online step-by- step guide at ArborDay.org for identifying a tree by its leaves. Keep the learning going by having your kids record their distance based on trail signs or a map app on their phones and calculate their average speed. You could also invite your youngsters to become cartographers, tracing the trail and surroundings on paper, including landmarks, rivers, and lakes. Older kids can add topographical information using their phones or an altitude app such as Altimeter or My Altitude. Hiking is a fantastic activity to help your kids appreciate the outdoors rather than their phone screens, but being in nature takes energy. Remember to pack snacks and a water bottle before you leave, or pack a favorite picnic meal to savor the rewards of exploring the outdoors! Help Your Kids Fall in Love With Hiking Step by Step
HOT PAWS, BIG PROBLEMS If the pavement or ground is too hot for your bare feet, it’s unsafe for your dog. Asphalt on sunny days absorbs and holds heat that could burn your dog’s paws. When planning walks or outdoor activities, opt for the early morning or evening hours to avoid the warmest times of the day. Stick to the much cooler grass and test the pavement by pressing your hand to it for seven seconds.
WINDOWS DOWN? STILL DANGEROUS No matter the weather or how quick the errand is, leaving your dog in a parked car for even five minutes is never safe. Even with the windows down, a car can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures. On a mild 70 degree day, the inside of the vehicle will reach 104 degrees in only 30 minutes. The dog days of summer can be a season of happy memories with your pet, but they rely on you to protect them from the risks of heat. With a bit of planning, attention to any alarming symptoms, and water always on hand, you can make the summer safe, fun, and full of tail wags.
2
SalazarScoops.com • 801-513-1988
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator