Summer is officially here! That means longer days filled with fun in the sun!! And that can include your dog as well.  Here are our best practices for making this summer both safe and memorable for your whole family.

1) Find a dog friendly sunscreen:. Dogs with white or thin coats and dogs with light-pigmented noses are at more risk for sunburns during the summertime. This is why dogs need sun protection also, and you want to make sure that the sunscreen you choose is both safe and effective.  Make sure it blocks both UVA and UVB rays, has an SPF of 15 or higher and doesn’t contain Zinc Oxide. Zinc Oxide is a common ingredient in sunscreen, but unfortunately it can be toxic to dogs if they eat it because of the zinc. Also keep in mind if your dog has sensitive skin to choose a fragrance-free sunscreen. 

Once you have chosen a sunscreen do a spot test on your dog. Place a small amount on a patch of your dogs skin and let it sit for 24 hours. Make sure that your dog does not have a bad reaction to the new sunscreen.

Top Recommended Sunscreens:

Epi-Pet Sun Protector Spray for Pets   https://www.amazon.com/Epi-Pet-Sun-Protector-Spray-Pets/dp/B002AI39QW/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2F3FTU2RLF9C&dchild=1&keywords=epi+sunscreen+for+dogs&qid=1588363569&sprefix=epi+sun%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-5

My Dog Nose It  https://www.amazon.com/My-Dog-Nose-Moisturizing-Protection/dp/B015Z4M1XY/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3MGP27D913JVM&dchild=1&keywords=my+dog+nose+it+sunscreen&qid=1588363501&sprefix=my+dog+nose+it%2Caps%2C250&sr=8-6

Petkin Doggy Sunwipes  https://www.petkin.com/Doggy-Sunwipes-4oz-p/5401.htm

2) Provide Shade: If you have a backyard, make sure there is enough shade for your dog. Put up canopies or umbrellas to help provide extra shade if you don’t have trees near your home. 

3) Reduce Mid-day Outdoor time: The hottest part of the day is between 11am and 3pm. Make sure to reduce your dog’s sun exposure during this time. This helps limit the risk of them becoming overheated.

4) Never, ever ever! Leave your dog in a car unattended. Too many dogs have died from being left in cars during warmer temperatures. So make it a practice that you never take your dog in the car if you have to make multiple stops that your dog can’t accompany you to. 

 Our animal friends experience health problems and medical conditions just as much as we humans do. We, as pet owners, want only the best for them, which includes taking them to the vet regularly to make sure they’re in great health. It is highly recommended that pet owners get pet insurance coverage before taking a trip to the emergency room. The reasoning is that even the simplest of visits to an emergency room can turn out to be very costly and might force pet owners to make some tough decisions. To avoid being in this situation, it is utterly important to know what your premium covers and what it does not. So a little shopping around and research will help pet owners make a well-informed decision about the insurance coverage that is best suited for their budget.

We hope you have enjoyed our Summer Safety tips and let us know the ways you keep your dogs safe during summer time in the comments below. Thank you!