Top tips for a happy, healthy dog this summer

Most of us look forward to summer. Lighter evenings, more time outside, BBQs and, if lucky, the chance to chill out a bit. But while we’re making the most of the longer days, it’s important to remember our pets need a bit of extra TLC to keep them safe and happy. In this blog, we discuss some of the things you can do to keep your pet healthy in the summer so you can both make the most of it and avoid unnecessary trips to the vet.

Don’t cut their fur too short

As much as it’s tempting to ask your dog groomer to cut your pet’s hair as short as possible when the weather warms up, there are benefits to keeping their coats slightly longer. Dogs have multiple layers of fur for a reason: to protect their skin from harmful UV rays. Without their coats during summer, your pet will be at a higher risk of sunburn, overheating and skin cancer. Fur also helps to keep the surface of their skin cooler, so getting shaved won’t do them any favours.

By all means, keep your dog’s routine appointment with the dog groomer, but there’s no need to ask them to go mad with the clippers. Often, the length of their cut will depend on their breed, so if you’re unsure, ask your groomer what they’d recommend for your dog or speak to your vet for advice.

Keep bowls of water around the house and garden

Making sure water is available at all times is the best way to keep your pet hydrated and will help them to replenish moisture lost through panting on a hot day. Keeping plenty of water bowls around the house and garden is much better than just having one available in the kitchen, while a water fountain is a brilliant way to keep them cool and provide mental stimulation.

Plan ahead to keep your pet healthy

It’s also important to take water and a drinking bowl out with you on your walks so your dog can keep their fluid levels up while they’re getting their steps in. Just don’t be tempted to cool your pet off with an ice cream, because rich puddings can play havoc with dog’s digestive systems, particularly if they have a food intolerance.

Be on your guard during BBQs and picnics

One of the best things about summer is eating outside and it’s something our dogs love to join in with. However, we need to be on our guard because eating al fresco can pose serious threats to our pets if we don’t pay attention. If you’re a fan of lighting up the BBQ, it’s worth remembering that the meat can have sharp bones that could cause your dog to choke if they swallow them. Meats are also a common food intolerance, even for humans.

Keep your pet healthy through avoidance of human tastes and foods

Even the sauces that are often served with BBQ food commonly contain garlic, onion and spices, which are red flags when it comes to a dog’s diet. To keep your pooch safe at meal times, make sure that all party members understand that scraps are not to be fed to your dog. Leftovers also need to be disposed of and kept away from inquisitive noses! 

Keep walks calm and during the coolest parts of the day

As much as dogs need exercise to stay healthy, it’s not safe to walk them in temperatures over 19◦C because of an increased risk of heat stroke. This is particularly dangerous for flat-faced breeds or dogs with underlying health conditions. If it’s cool enough, walking them before 8 am and after 8 pm makes exercise safer, especially if you stick to grassy and shaded areas.

Moderation to keep your pet healthy

Although it can be difficult, try to avoid getting your dog overexcited when it’s hot and keep them as calm as possible. Steady walks are fine, but games that require a lot of exertion should be avoided. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t get out and about on sunny days, but keeping your dog healthy in summer means putting their needs first, and caution must be taken when it’s warmer outside.

Contact us for information about intolerance tests for your pet

If you have any questions about how a food intolerance test can improve your dog’s health this summer, please send a message through the contact form on our website or send an email to [email protected]. It’s important to remember that if you have a concern about your pet’s health or diet, it’s best to speak to your vet for medical advice.