Memorial Day Weekend is here and it’s time to get this summer started!! Woohoo!!
While we plan our fun festivities let’s make sure we take into consideration the comfort and safety of our dogs.
Heat Stroke Risks
Heatstroke is a serious condition that can occur when dogs are exposed to high temperatures or humidity, especially when coupled with exertion or stress.
If you are planning on spending the majority of the day outside with your dog then remember to:
- Bring plenty of cold water
- Provide shade
- Avoid exercising your dog during the hottest hours of the day
- Know the symptoms of heat stroke so you can catch it early.
Symptoms of heatstroke include:
- Excessive, loud panting
- Tongue hanging out one side without control
- Excessive froth/drooling
- Restlessness
- Bright red or purple colored gums
- Reluctance to walk
- Stopping during a walk and trying to find shade to lie down
Check out my blog on heatstroke to learn the steps to handle a heatstroke situation.
Lurking Dangers at Barbecues
Barbecues can be quite dangerous for our dogs.
There are fatty, spicy foods that can cause gastroenteritis and pancreatitis. There might be toxic foods around such as chocolate, grapes, and xylitol. There are also baked goods that can cause pancreatitis.
Corn cobs are another danger that, if ingested by your dog, can get lodged in the intestines and require surgery to get them out.
So, if you can’t keep a close eye on your dog (or your push-over friends) then I would separate your dog when the food is served.
And remember… recreational drugs and alcohol at the BBQ can pose a serious risk for your dog. Marijuana toxicity is the most common toxicity we see in the ER these days. Alcohol poisoning can also happen very easily if someone leaves their drink on the ground.
Fireworks Fear
There are likely to be plenty of fireworks happening this weekend. That may be fun for us but it can cause fear and anxiety in our dogs.
Anxiety triggers a stress response in dogs, leading to the release of chemicals and hormones like adrenaline. This fight-or-flight response can cause dogs to act out of character, bolting or behaving unpredictably.
During moments of heightened anxiety, even a well-trained dog may not respond to voice commands, posing risks such as getting lost or being involved in accidents. Once anxiety reaches this heightened state, it becomes more difficult to regain control.
That’s why it’s important to prepare for anxiety before fireworks or other triggers occur.
Check out my blog Fireworks Anxiety for some helpful tips to keep your dog fear-free this weekend.
Lastly, here’s what to pack if you’re bringing your dog out and about this weekend:
- Water
- Travel bowl
- Towel to wet for cooldowns
- High-value treats to distract him when needed
- The right equipment such as a gentle leader or front harness keeps him from pulling you through the crowds.
- Identification attached to your dog.
- Natural tick preventatives (check out my flea and tick blog for specifics)
- Natural calming remedies if fireworks tend to scare him. (check out my fireworks blog for these)