🌞 Summer Care Tips for Dog Owners: Keep Your Furry Friends Cool and Safe! 🐾

As devoted pet lovers, we want each furry family member to stay fit and enjoy a good quality of life. Here’s how to beat the Indian summer heat safely and joyfully for your dog’s travel outings. 🐶✨

💧 1. Always Keep Fresh Water Available

Summers can cause dehydration faster than one would think. Always provide your dog with access to clean, cool water whether they are indoors, during walks, or during travel.

Quick Tip: For added refreshment, place several water bowls throughout the house and put ice cubes into them.

🏡 2. Create a Cool Zone at Home

Due to the hot and humid climate, a set, well-ventilated region indoors would do a dog wonders. Make sure the dog has an AC or fan blowing cool air. Bonus: Damp towels help cool down body temperature.

🐾 3. Attend to Their Paws

Paw temperate also matters. The Indian sun bakes the streets and tiles in-between 12 PM to 4 PM. The outdoor heat can blister your dog’s paws, so make sure you are mindful of hot surfaces.

Test: If placing your hand on the ground for 5 seconds is unbearable temperature, the place is hot.

Solution: Doggy shoes or paw balms can provide added protection. Walking them before the sun rises or after sunset also does wonders.

🍉 4. Light and Cooling Meals

Dogs often lose their appetite during extremely hot weather. Offer lighter meals and hydrating foods like watermelon (without seeds!), and curd after consulting your veterinary doctor. Frozen yogurt pops make great homemade treats! Serve with dog-friendly fruits.

🐕 5. Shorter Walks, Smarter Playtimes

Shaded parks and gardens can be used, but mid-day outings should be avoided. Focus on indoor activities. Indoors, you can also try out tug of war, treat puzzles and snuffle mats.

🚫 6. Dogs Must Not Be Left Alone In Vehicles

In India, even 5 minutes in a parked car can be life threatening. Always make sure your dog is with you, or leave them safely at home.

✂️ 7. Grooming: Keep It Natural

Do not shave your dog’s fur completely! Their coat serves as protection from the sun and as insulation from the heat. To maintain their coat, regular brushing to detangle and remove loose fur helps. Pro Tip: Employ a deshedding brush that’s appropriate for your dog’s breed.

🦟 8. Guard Against Fleas, Ticks, and Mosquitoes

Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes burgeon with warm weather. Contact your vet for preventative measures and check your dog regularly. Important: After walks in nature, and for those living near grassy or wooded landscapes.

🚨 9. Know the Symptoms of Heat Stroke

Heatstroke is a severe risk during Indian summers. Monitor for: Heavy panting, drooling, vomiting, weakness, or collapse. First aid: Move to a cooler environment, soak their body with cool (not ice cold) water, and take them to a vet as fast as possible.

🐾 Final Thoughts

Indian summers pose a challenge, but with love, constant vigilance, and simple daily measures, we can keep this season safe and enjoyable for our four-legged family members.