Summer Safety Tips for Your Dog: Keep Your Pup Happy and Healthy
- Tami Kersch
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Summer is all about long walks, beach days, road trips, and backyard barbecues. Our dogs love soaking up the fun just as much as we do. However, with rising temperatures and stronger sun, summer also brings new health challenges for our four-legged companions.
Whether you have a beach-loving retriever or a porch-snoozing pug, here are 5 essential warm-weather tips to keep your pup safe, happy, and healthy all summer long.
☀️ 1. Hydration Is Everything
Just like us, dogs need extra water when it’s hot outside. Dehydration can happen quickly, especially during walks, hikes, or outdoor play.
Quick Tips:
Always bring water on walks. Collapsible bowls are great for on-the-go hydration.
Add water to your dog’s kibble or offer bone broth cubes as a tasty hydrator.
Keep water bowls clean and refill them frequently. Bacteria thrive in warm weather.
🐾 Pro Tip: Some supplements, like those with electrolytes or coconut water powder, can help replenish lost minerals during heat waves.
🐾 2. Protect Those Paws
If the pavement is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Here’s How to Prevent Paw Burns:
Walk early in the morning or after sunset.
Stick to grass or shaded trails.
Use dog booties or paw wax if you’re walking on hot surfaces.
🐾 Pro Tip: After walks, wipe your dog's paws with a damp cloth to remove heat-retaining dust or irritants.
🌡️ 3. Know the Signs of Heatstroke
Dogs can’t sweat like humans. They cool down by panting, and some breeds, especially flat-faced ones like bulldogs and pugs, struggle even more in the heat.
Watch for Symptoms Like:
Excessive panting or drooling.
Red gums or glazed eyes.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or collapse.
If you notice these signs, move your dog to a cool place, offer water, and call your vet immediately. Heatstroke is a medical emergency.
🐾 Pro Tip: Keep a cooling mat or damp towel in the fridge or freezer for quick relief on hot days.
🪲 4. Stay Ahead of Fleas, Ticks & Mosquitoes
Warm weather means bug season. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes aren’t just annoying; they can transmit serious diseases like Lyme disease or heartworm.
Summer Pest Prevention Checklist:
Use a vet-approved flea and tick preventative.
Check for ticks after every walk or hike. Don’t forget behind the ears!
Keep your yard trimmed and remove standing water to reduce mosquito risk.
🐾 Pro Tip: Natural sprays with essential oils like cedarwood, lemon eucalyptus, or neem can provide added protection between treatments. However, ensure they are pet-friendly, as some oils can be toxic to your fur baby.
🍦 5. Cool Treats and Calm Bellies
Who doesn’t love a frozen treat on a hot day? However, human ice cream isn’t safe for dogs.
Try These Dog-Friendly Cooling Snacks:
Frozen peanut butter and banana “pupsicles.”
Ice cubes with bone broth or unsweetened yogurt.
Freeze pet-safe supplements, like calming chews or joint support, in ice molds.
Pet-friendly ice cream cones for a special treat.
🐾 Pro Tip: Hot weather can sometimes cause digestive upsets. Look for gentle digestive supplements with pumpkin, probiotics, or slippery elm to soothe summer tummies.
🌴 Summer Fun Starts With Safety
At FurBabies, we believe summer should be a season of play, not problems. A little preparation now means more time chasing balls, soaking in sunbeams, and making memories together.
So grab that leash, pack some water, and let the good times roll—safely.
Have questions about summer-safe supplements or calming support for travel and fireworks? We’re always here to help.
Stay cool out there, FurFamilies! 🐶🌞
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