August is HOTT!
The hottest month of the year has arrived and we can’t help but sweat it. This year California has been hot. With average temperatures well above average for this time of year. Here are some tips from AGA on hot to increase safety and try to stay cool through the dog days of summer.
Hot Asphalt Awareness
We all know asphalt and cement gets hot in the blazing summer heat of a California august, many do not understand just how hot or how to successfully get your pets out and about while staying safe. Burnt Paw pads, heat exhaustion, and dehydration are only some of the factors of an extremely hot ground. Asphalt Contains mixes of many elements. mixes are typically composed of 5% asphalt/bitumen cement and 95% aggregates (stone, sand, and gravel). Many studies have concluded that for the air temp of a regular street the real feel temperature of the asphalt is 30 degrees celsius higher. So if the air temp is 100 degrees that means the asphalt temp is somewhere around 158 degrees Fahrenheit! Based on studies on emergency medical personnel, it is said that exposure of 1 second to the pavement at 158 Degrees can burn human skin. At 158 Degrees you can cook an egg on the pavement surface in 5 minutes. What does all this mean? Taking your pooch for a walk in the middle of a heatwave is not only dangerous but bad parenting. Walks should be limited to early morning. Taking a walk later in the evening can be tricky as well because the pavement has had all day to gather heat. Taking your dog to a shaded grassy area or playing indoors is the better way to go. Check your pet’s feet for signs of paw pad burning and blistering and if you find anything to take your pet to the veterinarian. Remember getting out with your pet is a good thing, only when it’s too hot for you it’s also too hot for them!
REMEMBER: NEVER EVER LEAVE YOUR PET IN A CAR DURING THE SUMMER! Pets die all the time from being left in cars. The ambient temperature can reach well above 150 degrees.
Pet Pools and Getting Your Dog to Take to Them!
Plastic pet kiddy pools can be a lifesaver to dogs outside on hot days, but time and time again we hear, “I bought one for Rufus and he doesn’t like it”. Not all pets take to being wet or in the water, but here are some trick to give your pet every opportunity to lounge poolside!
- Place the pool in a shaded area and let your dog get used to it being there BEFORE you fill it with water.
- Place high-value items such as cheese or pet treats in the dry pool so your pet will step into the pool to reach them.
- When you do feel its ok to fill only put two inches of water in the kiddy pool. Chances are your pet will drink from the pool first! That’s a good sign!
- Only after your pet has been in the pool with a few inches of water can you fill it more!
- Remember pool safety never leave enough water for small pets or animals to fall in and not be able to get out!
- Before you know it your pet will be asking for a fruity drink and suntan lotion!
Make a Grooming appointment!
Another great way to make sure your pet is healthy and happy this summer season is to encourage healthy skin and coat. Taking your pet for regular grooming and bathing appointments is not only great for removing dead undercoat, which helps with circulation, but also can help with summer pests like fleas and ticks. The excessive coat can cause many problems with the release of heat from your pet’s coat, especially in breeds that are double coated like Labrador Retriever, Pug, and Australian Cattle Dogs. This dead or dying coat traps heat making your pet more uncomfortable. All dogs go through a process of losing dead coat that will need to be replaced. Regular grooming not only encourages that dead coat to release from the follicle by improving blood circulation but also can be removed easily by using the right tools like a high-velocity blow dryer and the correct form of a slicker brush. Book your appointment at American Grooming Academy today, and your pet will keep cool with not only regular grooming but also with our Puppy Scoop Ice Cream Social Spa Package!
Just add hot tap water to this powdered mix and freeze for doggy ice cream. Puppy Scoops are smooth and creamy, just like ice cream, but with a fraction of the fat and calories and formulated for your dog’s digestion. This summer, keep your dog cool with Puppy Scoops Ice Cream Mix!