Boston Fetch's Summer Survival Guide
Summer’s here… almost! This amazing weather makes every outing with our pack members extra special, but it also poses a few risks that come with the increase in temperatures. Our Pet Care Professionals take a number of precautions to keep our furry friends safe, healthy, and happy during the warmer months and I thought you all might want in on our trade secrets.
Dogs don’t sweat!
Which is great, because I can only imagine how much that would smell. That said, can you imagine having to apply a tiny stick of deodorant under their tiny arms, aw! But I digress… Because dogs are not covered head to toe in sweat glands like us humans, they mitigate higher internal temperatures by:
Panting to release excess heat in their bodies, and…
Thermally conducting heat away from their bodies by lying on cool surfaces - effectively swapping their heat for cooler temps.
With this knowledge we can recognize when our pups are warming to uncomfortable temperatures. If you see your dog panting and trying to lay down in a shaded patch of cool grass, know that they are doing their best to cool off. Give them time to cool down before finding the shortest, and most shaded way back to a cooler indoor environment.
Water is Life!
What’s clear, refreshing, and needs to be brought along for walks on hot days with your dog? Water! Do your doggo a favor and bring extra water and a travel bowl with you for adventures on warmer days. If it’s hot outside you may already be carrying a bottle of water, so why not bring a bit more for your furry friend? I highly recommend these collapsible water bowls as a lightweight and durable option for on-the-go hydration. Make life even easier on yourself and simply clip it to your dog’s harness on warm days. That way they’re ready for that sweet, sweet H20 anytime!
*PRO-TIP* Ray had heartworms long ago, before we rescued him, and has trouble dealing with the heat. To super cool the little, blind wonder-dog we will drizzle water down his back on warm days to help cool the heat brought on by the intense summer sunlight.
A video from our friends @waggeyland in Milton
Let’s talk Fleas and Ticks
Well folks, it’s that time of year again. Massachusetts most frustrating inhabitants, fleas and ticks, have emerged from hibernation to terrorize the rest of us. Please make sure your dog is up-to-date with their fleas and tick medications. If your pet is not currently taking a flea and tick preventative please contact your veterinarian immediately and make arrangements to have a prescription provided. Given the bone-chilling amount of ticks in Massachusetts most feel that OTC remedies can be helpful but fall short of a complete solution to keeping your dog safe. As avid hikers, Ray and I can already attest that those pesky ticks are alive and well, waiting to ruin your day.
Idgy’s all caught up on her flea and tick meds, so she can roll around and play wherever she wants!
Watch the Heat Index
It’s easy enough to check the temperature before you leave the house on a hot day, but that number alone doesn’t tell the whole story. Make sure to consult the Heat Index or Real Feel temperature, as it is also known. These indexes combine the temperature with humidity and calculate for factors like wind speed and sunlight intensity to give you a temperature reading as it feels to the human - or dog - body. This can be a much better indicator of what you will need to prepare when leaving the house.
Dogs and cars don’t mix!
I’m sure I don’t need to say this to 99% of people, but for the 1% of folks out there that don’t know, it’s worth repeating in all caps - DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG UNINTENDED IN A VEHICLE! The cabin of a car, without air conditioning and with the windows closed, can reach 100+ degrees in a matter of minutes when it’s 85 degrees outside. These temperatures can quickly lead to fatal consequences.
If you’re travelling with your dog to one of Boston’s beautiful emerald necklace parks please do so with the air conditioning on and with the windows partially open to increase air flow into the rear of the vehicle where your dogs will be.
But here is the bottom line - if you feel like it is too hot for your dog to be left in a vehicle unattended, then it is. Simple as that.
Be careful with local ponds and lakes
As a Jamaica Plains based company we love the JP pond. It’s a great place for dogs to walk, play, and socialize! In recent years, however, the algae blooms have threatened the safety of the water in the summers. Contact or ingestion of the water and algae can be potentially toxic to humans and animals alike. If you live in Boston you can check for information here, and if you reside in Brookline click here for updates as they are needed. If the waters are clear of toxic algae, then play away! Splashing around in the water is a great way for your pup to cool off on a hot day!
Ray doesn’t miss a chance to cool off in the summer!
All of our Pet Care Professionals at Boston Fetch prioritize your pups safety and health using the techniques above. Nothing is more important to us than your furry family members. If you want your pup to have a pro watching out for them on the upcoming warm summer days, request a Meet and Greet with one of our team members and we can give you all the details in-person.
For all those who stuck around until the end, here’s your dose of daily cuteness - Squirrel Splooting! What’s Squirrel Splooting you ask? It’s how squirrels dissipate their excess heat in the summer. Do yourself a favor and check out these photos of some splooting in action!