We are still feeling the summer heat as we begin the transition to cooler weather. Read on to learn about some of our safety pointers to keep your dog safe when it’s still hot outside.

How to Safely Keep Your Dog Active

If you take your dog for walks, try to avoid the hotter parts of the day. We suggest incorporating a quick daily walk before or after work as the weather remains cooler in the mornings and evenings. Even if it does not feel hot out, it is smart to be extra cautious since asphalt can be 40 to 60 degrees hotter than the temperature outside. If you cannot leave the back of your hand on the pavement for at least 7 seconds, do not go on a walk. Hot pavement can hurt your dog’s paws, from mild discomfort to severe burns and blisters! Signs of discomfort include limping, holding a paw, or whimpering. If it is hot out, cut back walk times or bring your pup to Happy Houndz to let their energy safely reign free. While your dog or puppy is here, you can also schedule a dog grooming appointment for them to get pampered and you can pick them up clean and tired.

Believe it or not, dogs can get sunburns and develop skin cancer if overexposed to the sun, especially those with short or light-colored coats. Keeping your dog in shaded areas is ideal, but if there is not any to take advantage of on your go-to walking routes walk early in the day before the sun it at it’s warmest or later in the evening.

Our dogs get much thirstier than we do when they get hot, so keep fresh water handy to help them avoid heat stroke. A fun way to cool down your dog is to make them their own “kiddy pool.” Dogs who love the water, naturally love it even more during the hot months.

Most importantly, never leave your dog in a hot car. Temperatures in a car parked directly in the sun can reach up to 160 degrees, where a dog can suffocate in a matter of minutes.

What We Do at Happy Houndz to Keep Your Dog Safe

At Happy Houndz our staff is trained to notice signs of overheating and exhaustion in our guests, and are always prepared to take action if necessary. We offer a wide variety of outdoor water activities to keep your dog cool and relaxed. On extremely hot days, playgroups are rotated more frequently to allow for adequate indoor rest breaks in the air-conditioning. With your dog’s safety at the forefront, we foster a trusted and playful environment.