Essential Dog Safety Tips During Sweltering Tampa Bay Summers

Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors with our dogs, but keeping them safe is essential during hot Tampa Bay summers. The following are some safety tips to keep in mind.

1. Keep your dog hydrated: Be sure your dog has access to clean, fresh water on hot days, and ensure she or he is hydrated internally and externally. Whenever you take your dog out, carry a water bottle and collapsible bowl, and offer him or her water frequently. According to experts, dogs sweat through their toes, so pouring water on their paws will keep them cool.

2. Avoid hot pavement: Pavement heats up quickly and gets even hotter than the surrounding air. Pavement can burn dogs' paw pads at extreme temperatures. Whenever possible, avoid walking them on it during the hotter parts of the day. Make sure you walk on grassy areas early in the morning or late at night.

3. Avoid direct sunlight: Direct sunlight can lead to your dog becoming overheated, so make sure your dog has access to shade. Set up a canopy or umbrella in your backyard if you spend much time there.

4. Never leave dogs in parked cars: A parked car can reach 125 degrees in just minutes on a hot day, even with the windows slightly open, according to KidsandCars. If you need to run errands, leave the dogs at home or bring them with you and leave them in a cool, shaded area where you can see them and give them plenty of water.

5. Monitor your dog closely for signs of heatstroke: When dogs start to experience heat illness, their internal temperature rises, and they have difficulty regulating it. A clear sign of oncoming heatstroke is excessive panting or labored breathing. If you observe excessive panting, it's a sign of heatstroke. Dogs might even arch their backs because they're struggling to breathe. In addition, there may be bruising in the gums, extreme lethargy, cognitive issues or disorientation, according to experts.

A dog can quickly succumb to heatstroke, which can cause death if not treated promptly. Wet them down with cool water and seek emergency veterinary attention immediately if you notice any signs of heatstroke.

6. Apply pet-safe sunscreen: Dogs with light-colored fur or thin coats are prone to sunburn, especially on their ears and noses. Use pet-safe sunscreen to protect your dog from the sun's harmful rays.

7. Keep an eye on your dog in or near water: Some dogs are not natural swimmers, so ensure they wear a life jacket and keep a close eye on them. Flat-faced and short-snouted dogs have difficulty breathing in the water and can tire quickly. Regardless of how strong they are, dogs can get tired while swimming or caught in a current, so monitoring them constantly and taking frequent breaks are essential. They may become thirsty if swimming outside in the sun, so bring fresh drinking water. You should also rinse your dog after swimming to avoid skin reactions or illness caused by pollutants and other irritants. 

IMPORTANT: Water covered in blue green algae is toxic for dogs and should be avoided at all times. This will make dogs very ill. Here’s how to spot it.

Make sure your dog wears a life jacket near or in water.

Health Disclaimer: This website does not provide medical advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.