Melbourne Dog Walkers

Some thing to think about if you’re walking your dog through the hot summer months.

You can walk your dog in  summer but it’s accepted that you should only walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening, about an hour after sunset. That’s because not only is the temperature high during the day, but the paths / road will probably be too hot for the pads of your dog’s paws. They’ll burn. General rule: if the path is too hot for you to walk barefoot, it is too hot for your dog to walk on. If you choose to walk your dog in the summer, hopefully early or late, bring along lots of water and make frequent water stops for the dog. Don’t take long walks or over-exert in the summer.

Heat exhaustion is common in dogs. It can happen your own yard, or on a walk. Dogs cool themselves by panting. If panting does not reduce the body temperature the dog will develop heat stroke. Early signs of heat exhaustion include rapid breathing, heavy panting, and salivation. Other signs are fatigue, muscle tremors, and staggering. If you see a dog that is experiencing heat exhaustion, take the dog to a cool, shady place, and apply wet towels or cloths to help cool the dog’s body down. Try to give the dog small amounts of water, and immediately call a vet.

Dogs and the Sun – Dogs get sunburned. Especially dogs with short hair or little hair on some parts of their bodies. Keep them out of the sun.