Summer may not be the best time to run and play outside for dogs, regardless of how much they love it. Heat waves and record temperatures have dominated summer 2022. Pet owners are also concerned about their furry friends as people try to stay cool and healthy.
If you take your dog out for a walk, what can you do to help keep them safe? Take your dog outside in the heat with these tips from pet experts.
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Make Sure You Check The Heat Index
According to Dr. Sarah Wooten, a veterinary expert with Pumpkin Pet Insurance, it is safe to walk a healthy adult dog when the heat index is 85 degrees or lower. It’s not just ambient temperature that counts, but also humidity.
Heat index or “real feel” measurements may be lower in humid areas, so check before going outside with your pet. According to Wooten, you can walk your healthy adult dog in 90-degree weather if you stick to dirt or grass, not pavement or asphalt, at a leisurely pace.
Test The Pavement.
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Hold your hand on the ground for 10 seconds if you can comfortably do so. You should never walk your dog on paved areas if it feels too hot to the touch, advised Dr. Heather Berst, a veterinarian with Zoetis. She added that animal boots could protect your dog’s paws from the heat, but sometimes it’s too hot for them to walk.
Other tips include: Give your dogs cool treats, Pay attention to signs of heat exhaustion, Consider your dog’s breed and individual needs, and Buy cooling products.