Dogs love the sun. Probably more than we do! They love being out, playing and exercising on hot, sunny days. They crave the vitamins and minerals associated with sun exposure, but it can be dangerous. There are a few ways to gear up for hot, sunny days.
Have you ever noticed that your pup will go lay in the sun in the living room of your house, then after about 20 minutes, go lay outside of the sun and get a drink of water? This rotation goes on, sometimes for hours. Inside, it’s easy for a pup to get reprieve from the sun, but outside, it’s not so easy. Here are a few tips to ensure your pup is prepared for a hot, sunny day outside.
The Essentials
If you want to have the best experience with your pup the next time your outside on a hot sunny day, you’ll want to bring along the following essentials:
- Water
- Water bowl
- Sunscreen
- Shade
- Towel
Your dog can suffer from sunburn or heat exhaustion in the same way that you do. Therefore, it is essential to always carry a towel, water, and sunscreen for your pup on those hot sunny days. You can cool your dog down quickly by soaking a towel in water and covering your pup. The sunscreen needs to be applied regularly, and your pup will love you more without having a burnt nose. Burnt noses are one of the most challenging sunburns a dog can get, and the negative impact associated with a burnt nose can be a challenge for years to come.
The Signs
Knowing when to stop, rest, or get in the shade is critical on hot, sunny days. Your dog will tell you, just like when your inside, when she’s done with the sun. Trying to hide in your shadow, lying down in the middle of a normal walk, and drinking more and more water than normal are all signs it’s time to get out of the sun. Sometimes, we don’t have that option, so it’s important to always keep your towel and shade device (e.g., umbrella) available for those really sunny days.
Sometimes it’s the sun, sometimes it’s the heat, sometimes it’s both. In any case, you should prepare your hot, sunny days for maximum puppy happiness. Giving your dog an adequate opportunity to rest, relax, and most importantly, get out of the sun, will extend your hot, sunny day time from an hour or two to all day. The dogs love the sun, and they know when to pause for rest. Listen to your pup, and you’ll get the most of of your hot, sunny days.