Top 10 Summer Safety Tips for Your Dogs

summer tips, dog safety tips, dog walking

Whilst summer provides an abundance of outdoor opportunities for our canine companions, it also comes with additional risks. Hikes, swimming, holidays, picnics and exercising offer ample opportunities for us to take our beloved dogs out with us to enjoy the sunshine. At Scamps and Champs we definitely don’t want to suggest for one moment that this isn’t a fabulous idea! However, there are risks you can come upon in the summer months that as a responsible dog owner, it is good to be aware of so that preventative measures can be put in place and your dog’s safety ensured. Keep reading for our top 10 safety tips for your dog this summer:

  1. NEVER Leave Your Dog in a Hot Car

It goes without saying that you should never leave your dog in a hot car during the summer. Temperatures can reach over 90 degrees in a car during hot days and so the fairest thing to do is leave your dog at home in the cool, however beautiful the day is and how tempting it is to take your dog out to enjoy it with you.

  • Protect Your Dog from Parasites

If you chose not to protect your dog then your dog can be at serious risk of; heart worm, Lyme disease and a lot of other serious diseases associated with the heat and parasites. So always protect your dog as prevention is far better than trying to treat a serious illness.

  • Keep Paws Cool

Pavements, stones and footpaths can become exceedingly hot when the sun is out and can very easily cause your dog’s paw pads to become burnt. This can be extremely painful for your dog and therefore keeping your dog inside whilst the heat of the day is at its peak, or opting for woodland walks can be necessary alternatives. If your dog appears to be over heating then put their paws in some cold water to cool their body temperature down.

  • Fresh Drinking Water at ALL Times

Dogs can sweat but only a small amount so they therefore need to pant to cool down, this means they need to drink a lot of water when the weather is warm. To avoid your dog getting heat stroke ensure cold, fresh water and shade are available at all times.

  • Pup Pool to Keep them Cool

Your garden can get very hot in the summer so why not provide your dogs with their very own kiddy pool to keep them cool! Who doesn’t love a cool dip in the summer!

  • Swimming Dangers

Whilst a quick dip in the river, ocean or a lake may seem like a great idea to cool your dog down, do not assume they can swim! Make sure your dog can’t jump into deep water when they are unattended, as if they can’t swim well they could drown. Make sure you are always there to supervise your dog in deep water.

  • Doggy Sunburn

Did you know that dogs can get sunburn too? Dogs can still get sunburn and it can be very painful, so keep them in the shade or ask your vet about pet sunscreen as it does exist. Do not assume sunscreen for humans will do the job, as this is not the case.

  • Keep the Lead On

When you go out for the day or on holiday, the temptation is there to let your dog off the lead to explore. However once in an unfamiliar environment this can be extremely disorientating for dogs and they can easily wonder off and get lost. If you are unsure at all about your dog’s recall then keep them on the lead or on a long line, where they can explore safely.

  • Watch their Weight

If your dog is overweight then this can cause them to struggle in the heat and make exercise and breathing more difficult. So after those winter months make sure your dog is the correct weight ready for the summer heat. If you are in any doubt ensure you visit your vet.

  1. Don’t Forget to Shut Windows

It’s tempting to keep all of your house windows open at night particularly when it is really hot outside. However, don’t leave them open too wide and don’t forget to close windows when you go out of the house. As your dogs may get curious and escape, putting them at risk of coming to harm or running away.

We hope you have enjoyed our preventative summer top ten tips for your dogs! We hope you all enjoy the fabulous summer months with your precious pooches in the great outdoors!

Scamps and Champs are one of the country’s leading Pet Care Service companies, we offer caring and reliable animal care for when you can’t be there. Check out our services and availability in your area. If we can assist you in anyway please do contact us.

Are You in Breach of Rule 57 of the Highway Code?

Whilst millions of us in the United Kingdom drive with our canine companions in the car with us every day, can we all be sure that we are doing so safely? Recent research suggests that a large proportion of dog owners are unaware of the correct safety procedures required for transporting their four-legged friends in the car, suggesting that many of us are breaking Rule 57 of the Highway Code and therefore could face fines of up to £5,000 for careless driving with an unrestrained pet. So what is Rule 57 and what does it mean for pet owners?

Rule 57 of the Highway Code states that all animals when travelling in a vehicle on the road need to be suitably restrained so that they cannot cause any distraction to drivers, injure you or be injured themselves should you need to perform an emergency stop. Therefore, if your dog is not suitably and safely restrained within your vehicle, they potentially could cause a triple threat to drivers, other road users and themselves. 

Whilst Rule 57 does not state outright the methods of restraint, it is suggested that however well-behaved your dog is when loose in the car, that if unrestrained it could still potentially cause one or more of the potential threats above. Therefore, if you do not use one of the following safety methods for your pet in the car then it is assumed you are in breach of Rule 57 of the Highway Code. So what methods are suitable and which pets would these be suitable for? Scamps and Champs cover the main methods of vehicle restraint for pets below in our helpful four-step guide.

1.Existing Seatbelts 

Existing seatbelts for us humans can also be useful for our pets. They are already there and don’t cost you a penny – so why not use them? Seatbelts can be used to securely fasten cat boxes, small animal carriers and dog crates firmly in place on the back seat of the car. Whilst you can carry animals in the front of the car physically, it is not recommended as they can cause distraction to the driver and potentially come to severe harm should there be an accident.

2. Pet Seatbelts

Pet seatbelts can be purchased from veterinary practices, retail pet stores and online. They are readily available from multiple sellers on stores such as www.amazon.co.uk and www.ebay.co.uk. In addition, if you have an existing safety method in place and you are willing to wait a few weeks for your product to arrive, pet seatbelts can be purchased via these websites from sellers based within the product’s manufacturing country. So if cost is an issue for you there is an option available for everyone, as a quality product can be purchased for as little as £1 including postage and will be delivered directly to your home from China, for example, providing premium pet safety at a bargain cost. So there is no excuse not to have your pets safely secured and to travel in accordance with the Highway Code.

3. Harnesses

You can purchase harnesses for most animals, however this option would be most suitable for your dogs. Harnesses are widely available in stores and online, at a variety of prices and in a variety of styles. The important thing is to ensure that you purchase the correct size for your dog, or this can be a safety issue for your beloved pet in itself. It is recommended that you use a harness and not a pet seatbelt attached to a collar, as if an emergency stop were to occur you need your pet’s body to remain secure. If the full impact of an emergency stop was to occur with your pet attached via its collar then this could cause significant and even fatal damage to your pet’s neck and therefore this isn’t viewed as an acceptable method of restraint.

4. Crates or Animal Carriers

Smaller animals are best to be transported in a crate or animal carrier, as they provide less room for movement and also block the visual elements of the road, which can be extremely frightening for small animals. In addition, the more secure exterior provides additional safety for your animals in the event of an accident and can be additionally secured to the car seat with your existing seatbelts in order to minimise movement.

So you have been suitably informed on Rule 57 of the highway code and the suitable methods of safety restraints for animals, including cost effective options available to everyone, you can all enjoy traveling with your pets safely! Happy travelling pet-lovers!

For further safety advice for your pets and for a full range of our Scamps and Champs services, please go to our main website. Please contact us to check availability or to ask any questions you may have.