Paw Pals Pet Sitting

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Summer Dog Care Tips and Tricks 2016

July 11, 2016 by Mary Telesz

summer dog careMany pet owners have questions about how to best take care of their dog during the end of summer. Do not worry! We have all the tips and tricks you’ll need to make sure your furry friend is healthy and happy while you’re out having fun in the sun!

Shedding Expectations

Now that we are in the dog days of summer, taking care of your dog can get a little hairy—literally! Many breeds shed more heavily in the months leading up to and throughout late summer. In anticipation of this, purchase a brush to start collecting the winter coat as it sheds before your pet leaves it all over your couch, car, or other beloved surface. Most dogs appreciate the pampering and they will immediately feel more comfortable in the hot sun! In addition to brushing them, help them beat the heat by getting them groomed before the heat gets too intense. Some breeds should not have too drastic of a shift during the season change, so ask your veterinarian what would be best for your specific pet.

It is important to remember that you have a different wardrobe for the humid close of the summer than you do the winter. Your dog should have the same options. Many pet owners choose to use harnesses that go around the body instead of collars to attach leashes. These harnesses can have options where they come in heavy straps for the winter and also “barely there” straps for the summer. You can even purchase cooling wraps for different areas of the body if your dog gets extra hot! If the route that your dog walks on often has a lot of pavement (which can get hot!), consider summer booties for sensitive paws.

Supply Water For Dogs, Water Everywhere!

Just like us, dogs need more water, especially late in the summer. Make sure you are constantly refilling your pet’s water bowl, or consider an automatic filling bowl. On particularly hot days, you can try adding an ice cube or two to your dog’s water. Cold water is not an issue for dogs to ingest, but too much water can be a problem. Ice cubes can actually help slow your dog down from drinking too much, too quickly. If you think your dog might be drinking too much water, ask your veterinarian what a good amount would be for your pet’s size and age so you can help moderate water intake.

Speaking of water, kiddie pools are great for doggies too! We highly recommend considering this option if your pet will be spending a good amount of time outside during the summer. If you decide to leave the pool out for the remainder of the summer, remember to change the water daily for a number of reasons—it will be fresher for your dog if he or she decides to take a sip from the pool, and it will remove the standing water which is a haven for mosquitoes.

Cool Summer Dog Tools

Also consider changing up what type of treats you are giving your pet in the summertime. A really easy trick is to make broth popsicles using an ice tray the exact same way you would freeze juice into cubes for a cool treat. You can also find frozen treats at pet supply stores to give your dog a gourmet brain freeze!

If your house does not have air conditioning, set up sturdy fans around strategic areas like dog beds, food and drink bowls, and anywhere else your pet frequents to make sure your they are comfortable. Some dogs can get a little worried around fans, so let your pet get to know the appliance by spending some time with them when you first set it up. Standing tower fans are great because they are difficult to knock over and are often very quiet which dogs tend to prefer.

Final Thoughts for Dog Fun in the Sun

Beating the heat toward the end of the summer can be a breeze if you prepare accordingly! In addition to these precautions, always remain vigilant while you are with your pet outside. As the days get warmer, dogs spend more time outside and that means more potentiality for accidents. Many vets will tell you that summer is their “busy season.” Always keep a close eye on your pet to make sure to prevent anything dangerous from occurring! Also, as dogs spend more time outside during the summer, consider getting your dog a pet microchip with your information if you have not yet – just in case your dog gets separated and located by another party. Barring that, always remember to adorn your pet with the proper tags and information.

Finally, remember—if you are hot, your dog is hot! Keep water with you at all times for your dog to drink, and also to pour on their feet, nose, and even belly to cool them off. Staying in the shade as much as possible also prevents both you and your dog from overheating and skin damage from the sun. Remember that every breed is different – your veterinarian will almost certainly have special instructions for your dog during the late summer season. Never hesitate to ask questions if you have them and you will be prepared with all the knowledge you need to keep your dog safe for the summer!

Filed Under: Family Dog

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Office Location

Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

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Office Hours

Monday
9am - 5pm
Tuesday
9am - 5pm
Wednesday
9am - 5pm
Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Areas Served

Centreville – 20120, 20121
Chantilly – 22151
Clifton – 20124
Fairfax – 22030, 22033
Fairfax Station – 22039
Manassas – 20109, 20110, 20111
Reston – 20191, 20190

Google Rating
5.0
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
5.0
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
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