Summer is nearly upon us and it’s getting hot out there! There is no other season where the outdoors beckons and most of the days are spent soaking up the sun. Summer time is when we tend to be the most active – swimming, walking, playing along with our pets. But if we find it hot, can you imagine what our furry friends must be feeling? It can’t be easy having that thick coat of fur when the temperatures outside are soaring. There are several things you can do to summer-proof your dog and make him more comfortable.

Our first instinct would be to shave a longhaired dog for the summer. But keep in mind that your dog’s coat is designed to protect him from the harmful rays of the sun as well as insulate him from the heat. Just trim his hair so that all the winter shedding is removed and keep it well cleaned. Nature takes care of the rest.

One of the favorite activities of the summer is swimming. Whether in a pool, a pond, or the sea, the need to cool down and have some fun is imperative. As a rule, dogs tend to like the water but there are some breeds that are non-swimmers or might not like to swim at all. If your dog appears hesitant, don’t push it. Try to lure him into shallow water with treats or toys but if he doesn’t budge, let him enjoy lounging on shore. If you and your pet swim in ponds, rivers and lakes, make sure you clean your dog’s fur after a swim to get rid of any mites that might lead to an infection later on. And finally, if you take your dog on boat trips or the like, remember he has to wear a life jacket too! It is not unusual for a dog to get knocked off a boat and a life jacket can make all the difference especially if your pet is old or obese.

The biggest worry in the summer is heatstroke. As most of our time is spent outdoors in the summer, it is important to understand how heat affects our pets. Dogs cool off by sweating through their paw pads and panting. But older or younger dogs and certain breeds such as pugs or bulldogs have a naturally difficult time keeping cool. Always re-hydrate at regular intervals, don’t overexert your pet and try to stay indoors between 12 and 3pm when it is usually the hottest. If your dog exhibits any of the following symptoms, he might be suffering from a heatstroke and you need to create a cool breeze all over your dog first to cool him down and then get him to a vet immediately. Symptoms include: excessive panting, thick saliva, lethargy, dry nose, sunken eyes, labored breathing, uncontrollable urination or defecation and even bloody diarrhea.  

Since most of our time is spent outdoors in summer, it is no surprise that there are a higher number of incidents of dogs running away, getting lost or even being stolen. The only way to counteract this is by investing in a GPS pet tracker. GPS for dogs have changed the way we keep our pets safe and secure. Trackers such as the SpotLight GPS dog collar are lightweight and sturdy and can be easily attached to your dog’s existing collar. It is water-resistant and comes with rechargeable batteries as well. How the SpotLight Pet Locator works is simple. Once you activate the device, you can create certain safe spots or areas where it is safe for your dog to roam freely. If he moves out of any of these zones, you will be notified via text or email so that you can take the necessary precautions to get him back home as soon as possible. With SpotLight, pet tracking is simple and efficient and allows you to enjoy a hassle free and safe summer!