For many, a job with animals is the ultimate in desirable,
fun work. Animal-lovers like nothing more than to become Wag!
Pet Caregivers who exercise pups
when their Pup Parents can’t. But sometimes it’s not all fun and games. When it
comes to weather, a little planning goes a long way to keeping yourself and your
charge comfortable. In winter, adding layers and hats can reduce the icy cold.
Summer can be harder to endure because heat seems more difficult to escape from.
Heat is not only uncomfortable, but it can be downright dangerous! Overheating is a problem faced by anyone, or any doggo, who works or plays
outdoors
in summer.
Dehydration can make it worse, and can lead to organ
failure and death. Here are some tips that can help you and your pup stay cool on hot days.
#1 Let the environment keep you cool
Try to plan your walks along the ocean, a lake or river
where the puppers can go to cool off, and you have a source of water to splash
on your face. Water bodies are also perfect for wetting a handkerchief or
bandanna that you can then wrap around your neck, or a small towel to cool the
fur-baby’s tummy and paws. Dogs’ paws are essential for keeping them cool, and
the cooler you can keep their pads, the cooler the doggo will be. And always keep an
eye on how much contact the doggo’s paws are having with hot concrete, asphalt
and sand.
#2 Know where your own pulse points are
These spots on your body have blood vessels that are close
to the surface of the skin, and applying a cold rag or compress to them sends cooling blood to the
rest of your body. They include:
- The back of your neck
- Inside your elbow
- The temples on the sides of your head
- Behind your knee
- The inside of your wrist
Plan your walk with Fido to include lots of shade. Hot
summer days are not the time to climb steep, treeless trails or trudge through
unshaded fields. You and your dog-walking fur-buddy might feel better in a park
with trees, a fountain and some benches under the branches. This is the
pawrfect time to take a few sips of your water and give some to the pup as well.
#4 Wear loose, breathable duds
Cotton is breathable and dries quickly. T-shirts are both
comfortable and stylish, and you can throw a few into the car on a hot day for
quick change between walkies. There are also clothes specially made to wick
away hot sweat.
#5 Have frozen treats on hand
Carry a back- or fanny-pack, or a shoulder bag with ice and
bring along some frozen treats for you and the fur-baby.
Popsicles (fruit
for you and frozen chicken broth for Fido) could go a long way to cooling off one’s
insides. Be sure to take frequent breaks to enjoy your goodies and rest a few
minutes.
#6 It’s what’s on your feet that counts
On a really hot day, it may be tempting to wear flip-flops
to keep your feet cool. Not only do flip flops provide you with no support, but
they also expose your feet to dirt, bugs, and sun. But running shoes or hikers
can be heavy and hot. In the heat of summer, sneakers with flexible soles will
protect you from the sidewalk or road’s heat, while providing support and
protection against pebbles and other road hazards. If they’re lightweight, they
won’t make your feet hotter, and wearing socks will absorb any sweat your feet
are producing. For pupsters,
pad
wax or doggy boots work well, too!
In the summer, the hottest part of the day is between the
hours of 10 and 4. That’s why siestas are a mid-day treat in some countries! If
possible, try to schedule walks outside those hours, at least during heat wave
days. Or return a little early and stay with the pup in the AC or in front of a
fan for a few minutes so you can cool off and make sure they’re okay.
Fans work by blowing across the surface of your skin and
help produce condensation of moisture (sweat). Condensation cools as it
dries, and your skin will feel cooler, too. Even when the air feels hot, the process
works. Add a cooling mist and you’ll be even cooler! Did you know there are
fans that you can wear on a strap around your neck? Or fans attached to a bottle of
water you can spritz on your face as you walk?
#9 Water, water everywhere!
There is no substitute for water for keeping cool and hydrated. Dehydration leaves us vulnerable to overheating or heat shock. When you spend your days walking pups, you sweat a ton of water and soon your cells will cry out for it in the form of headaches, muscle weakness and disorientation. Never take a dog walking in the summer without ample supplies of water for both of you. Seven to ten ounces of water every 20 minutes is recommended by fitness authorities for humans, although the amount varies with age, physical condition and weather. On a hot summer day it's better to carry too much than too little.
Pet Caregivers are a dog’s lifeline to outdoor exercise when
their Pup Parent is gone for the day or for just a few hours. Daily brisk walks
aren’t only for the spring and fall. If you live and work in an area that gets
hotter than hot, keep these few tips in mind for safe and happy walks with pooches of all kinds. Happy walking!