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Protect Your Pets During the Hot Summer Temps
It's summertime and the livin's easy, as the old familiar song goes. In our extreme climate, it's not quite that simple. Just as we crave air conditioned comfort, so do our pets. Summer can be especially difficult for our dogs, so we asked our friends, Michelle Carroll of Critter Sitters and Dyanah Hermann Musgrave of ForTheHealthOfOurPets.com for their tips on keeping our fur family safe and comfortable in this heat. Here's what they told us.
Michelle let us know:
As temperatures soar above 100°F here in Boulder City, we know how tough it is to keep our pups exercised and entertained. Many dog owners have had to scale back their regular walks to avoid overheating, burnt paw pads, or even heatstroke.
Good news! Physical exercise isn’t the only way to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Mental stimulation is just as important—and during these scorching summer months, it’s a safe, fun, and healthy alternative to a long walk under the sun.
Meet The Mighty Kong!
One of the easiest ways to mentally stimulate your dog is by using food puzzles, and the classic Kong toy is a favorite for a reason. It’s durable, versatile, and dogs LOVE it.
To help you get started, here is a list of healthy, vet-approved ingredients you can stuff into a Kong to turn treat time into a brain game.
Check out the list below (save it to your phone for easy reference!):
Healthy Treat Ideas Include:
- Fruits like bananas, apples, watermelon, and blueberries
- Veggies like carrots, peas, green beans, and sweet potato
- Proteins like eggs, yogurt, salmon, and even steak scraps (unseasoned)
- Safe spreads like peanut butter (xylitol-free!), cottage cheese, and canned pumpkin
Mix and match these ingredients, freeze your Kong overnight, and you've got a cool, satisfying, brain-boosting activity your dog can enjoy indoors. Don't have a Kong? Amazon has quite a few varieties and sizes to suit just about any pup.
Why Mental Stimulation Matters
- Less likely to bark, chew, or dig from boredom
- Calmer and more relaxed indoors
- More confident and emotionally balanced
- A quick midday visit to break up your dog’s day
- Someone to bring the fun while you’re at work
- Or a mental workout to replace that skipped walk...
Got a pup who needs something to do today? Give us a call at 702-625-4448 or email by clicking michelle@bouldercitycrittersitter.com.
Dyanah told us: The Fourth of July is around the corner. The fireworks will be BOOMING! Why do dogs hate Fireworks? The Fourth of July is the number one day for runaway pups. The shelters are full of pups who just ran. Over 50% of dogs have noise related phobias. Their sense of hearing is about four times as sensitive as ours. They can detect much quieter sounds than we can and they can hear frequencies two times higher than a human. This level of noise can trigger stress and the flight or fight impulse kicks in for a pup. They go into an “Avoid Escape” mode. They feel threatened, They may have had a previous negative experience with loud noises. Some breeds are more sensitive that other such as Carin Terriers, Pembrook Welsh Corgis and mixed breed pups. Labradors and German Shepherd dogs are the least scared of fireworks. When the fireworks and flashing lights start it is so terrifying for them, they just want to run. They don’t know what else to do. We had a pup in the Vegas Valley that wanted to escape so badly he rammed his face against the door repeatedly which broke his snout. Imagine being so afraid that you smash your face into a door to get away from a noise! So, what can we as good as good dog owners? Here are some tips!- PLAN AHEAD
- Don’t leave your pup home alone. This is when destructive dangerous behavior and accidents can happen.
- Focus on safety.i
- If you can, go to an area where they cannot hear the fireworks, or see the flashing lights.
- Put on music that is calming.
- Lower the blinds, flashing lights can trigger a reaction.
- Use a swaddle or a thunder shirt.
- Don’t overreact! They can detect your anxiety which can heighten their fear.
- Secure doors and windows as escape is on their minds.
- Make sure they are microchipped (check that it is current and registered with your vet or chip company).
- Make sure they have on an ID with current phone number on it.
- Do not take them outside, even in your own confined yard, without a strong leash even in your back yard. We know of a pup who was a tiny pup who climbed a wall and took off because he was in the fight or flight mode.