As the summer and the end of the ongoing UK lockdown approaches, people will undoubtedly begin to head off on adventures with their furry friends again. Here at Four Legged Friends, we’ve put together some handy tips to help you keep your dog safe this summer.

Safety around water

When the sun comes out, us Brits flock to the seaside, and many of us take our dogs along for the ride! Our first tip for taking your dog to the beach is to ensure that it is a dog-friendly beach; not all UK beaches allow dogs at all times of the year. Click here for a list of year-round dog-friendly beaches.

If your dog ventures into the water, make sure that they’re happy and comfortable. Don’t assume that your dog is a natural swimmer; certain breeds find it much easier to swim than others so ensure that you’re close by if it’s your dog's first time in the water. Some dog owners like to put mini life jackets on their pets, just for extra safety and buoyancy in the water!

Travelling in vehicles

Whether it’s just for a day trip or for a long stay, it is important to safeguard your dog when travelling. Below are some of our top tips on how to protect your pet in vehicles.

1. Find the place where your dog is most comfortable - Whether this is sitting in a dog car seat next to you or in a crate secured in the car, find the place where your dog is most comfortable. When travelling in a moving vehicle, it is a legal requirement that dogs “are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly”. There are many ways that you can keep your dog comfortable whilst also ensuring that everyone in the vehicle is safe at all times.
2. Try to alleviate motion sickness - Some dogs suffer with motion sickness when in vehicles such as cars, buses and trains. If it’s their first time, or if they are known to get motion sickness, there are precautions that you can take to make this experience the best it can be for your dog. One option is medication; there are plenty of over-the-counter and prescription medications that can help alleviate your dog’s motion sickness symptoms. If you don’t want to give your dog medication, you should try to minimise the shaking and movement of a vehicle, and incidentally your dog, as much as possible. This could be through using blankets or pillows as padding. No matter how many precautions you put in place, we would still recommend having a bowl handy!
3. Distractions - If your dog becomes distressed when travelling, it’s always best to bring some form of distraction to help keep their mind off it. This could be in the form of treats or their favourite toy.

Sun and heat

When the sun comes out and the temperature rises (a sometimes rare occurrence in the UK!), naturally everyone wants to be outside, and that includes dogs. Below are some things that you should look out for and be aware of when your dog is out in the sun and heat.

1. Dehydration and heatstroke- Dogs can become dehydrated or suffer from heatstroke as a result of not drinking enough water, just like us humans! It is likely that some dogs will become dehydrated more quickly; these include the toy breeds and also very young or small dogs. It is important to ensure that your dog always has access to fresh, clean water, especially on a hot day. Regularly check their water bowl and keep it topped up. Dehydration and heatstroke have very similar symptoms; some of the symptoms of these conditions in dogs include lethargy, vomiting and passing urine more often than usual.
2. Dogs in hot cars - You should never leave your dog in a hot car, not for even a minute! Vehicles can become very hot very quickly, especially in the sun. Leaving dogs in hot cars leads to many deaths in the UK each year. If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, call 999 immediately and the emergency services will be able to assist you.
3. Hot pavements - On hot days, it is always important to test the pavement if you’re thinking of taking your furry friend for a walk. Pavements are made from dark tarmac which attracts the heat and can damage or burn your dog’s pads if walked on when it’s too hot. On hot days, if you need to take your dog out for a walk, try to go early in the morning or late in the evening when it is likely to be cooler.

These are just some of our tips for keeping your dog safe this summer. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult your dog’s veterinarian.

Four Legged Friends Petcare offers dog walking and day care services for your pet. If you would like more information on our services, please get in touch with us today.