Baby, it HOT out there!

It’s summer in the ‘Burgh. That means it can get H-O-T!

This should go without saying, but, we’ll say it anyway…

Make sure you don’t leave pets or children in parked vehicles with only windows cracked. If you can’t or are unwilling to leave your car runnig with the AC on, if you can’t provide cool airflow with sufficient ventilation from a swamp cooler or open doors, a fan, water or a heat-alert/monitoring system in your car – LAVE YOUR PET AT HOME, please.

When you walk your dogs on streets – make sure it’s not too hot for their paws first (hold your hand or barefoot on the pavement for 20-30 seconds). It’s best to walk early in the morning or later in the evening. A dog’s average body temperature is 3-5 degrees warmer than ours and they cannot perspire to cool themselves.

DO NOT SHAVE YOUR DOG (breeds with double coats) Their coat is actually designed to keep them cool. When you shave a double coated dog (Labs, Goldens, German Shepherds, Border Collies, Aussies, Berners, and so on) you prevent the coat from keeping the dog cool. It’s OK to shave dogs with single coats that need regular grooming (Poodles and Doodle mixes, Shih Tzus, Maltese, Yorkies, and so on). Read these articles if you want to learn more:

Why you shouldn’t shave your dog in the summer

Pets can get Overheated when shaved

Give them plenty of fresh, cool water. 

Have fun. Stay safe.