Schnauzer Summer Care & Safety Tips for the 'Dog Days of Summer'

Summer Care Dog Tips
Like humans, dogs can suffer from overheating, dehydration, and yes, even sunburns. By following these summer care & safety tips, you can help ensure that your mini schnauzer enjoys the good old summertime.

1. Did you know that dogs are more susceptible to overheating? It's true. The only way they can cool themselves is through panting. Their sweat glands are located on their foot pads. So, panting and drinking water for proper hydration are the only ways your Miniature Schnauzer has to cool down.

   

   Summer Care Dog Tip #1 - Always have fresh cool water available for your schnauzer. Whether on a walk or an outing, in the backyard, or in the car. And its a breeze to have fresh water readily available by using no-tip bowls, travel bowls, hand-held water dispensers (perfect for the park, walks, the beach, hiking, and camping).

   
   
   

2. Did you know that your Miniature Schnauzer can also get sunburned? Dogs are susceptible to sunburn just like us, especially on areas where their fur is thinner (like on their noses and ear tips). Plus if your Miniature Schnauzer is white, less coated, or just been shaved, then your Schnauzer is even more prone to sunburn. Besides the pain, skin peels and blistering caused by sunburns, excessive sun exposure may lead to cancer.
   

   Summer Care Dog Tip #2 – Make sure there is sufficient shade in your backyard or provide your Miniature Schnauzer with adequate shade with an awning or dog house.

   And while you shouldn't use your sunscreen on your dog, pet stores do sell sunscreen made especially for dogs.

   
   
   

3. Since most of us spend more time outside during the summer months, so will your Miniature Schnauzer. But too much exercise or play can lead to a heatstroke.

   
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   Summer Care Dog Tip #3 - Best time to exercise your Miniature Schnauzer is during the early morning hours or later in the evening when temperatures are the lowest. Before heading out check your local dog walking forecast Also, be aware of the signs of a heatstroke:
   
   
   
   
   Heatstroke Warning Signs:

   • excessively hard panting
   • rapid heartbeat
   • staggering gait
   • listlessness
   • dazed and confused
   • non-responsive to commands
   • purple or dark red gums
   • vomiting
   • seizures
   • collapse

   If your Miniature Schnauzer exhibits any of these warning signs, try lowering your Miniature Schnauzer’s temperature immediately. Get your Miniature Schnauzer out of the sun. Get to a cool shaded area or inside a building with air conditioning and apply cool soaked towels to your Miniature Schnauzer's neck and belly, and also wrap some wet towels around his body. Using alcohol wipes on the groin and belly areas can enhance cooling. Give your Miniature Schnauzer small amounts of cool water to drink, and then take your Schnauzer to the vet immediately.
   

   A heatstroke is a medical emergency!
   Without the proper treatment your Miniature Schnauzer can suffer brain damage, heart failure and even death.

   dog health tip: Do not use very cold water or ice! Very cold water or ice will cause your Miniature Schnauzer's blood vessels to constrict and this will impede his body from being able to release heat.

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4. Our Miniature Schnauzers have become so much so, 'part of the family', that they usually accompany us on our daily errands and family vacations. But during the summer, a car’s temperature can quickly rise to dangerously deadly levels.

   

   Summer Care Dog Tip #4 – NEVER leave your Miniature Schnauzer in a parked car. It is better to leave your Miniature Schnauzer at home than to have him trapped and left unattended in a parked car. Not only does it pose the threat of heat strokes, dog theft is on the rise!

   
   
   

5. ‘Do you want to go for a walk?’ I think those are a dog’s favorite words. But during the summer, it’s best to limit those walks in the morning or early evening hours with your Miniature Schnauzer. If you have to walk during peak hours, make the walks shorter than usual, take along your hand-held water dispenser and don’t walk on hot asphalt or pavement that can cause your Miniature Schnauzer's pads to burn. Check your dog walking forecast

   
   Summer Care Dog Tip #5– Avoid going for long walks during the hottest hours of the day. Protect your Miniature Schnauzer’s pads by having him walk on grassy areas or have your Miniature Schnauzer wear year round dog booties to protect his pads from burning.
   
   

6. Believe it or not, accidental drownings claim the lives of many dogs each year. If you have a backyard pool, make sure your Miniature Schnauzer knows how to get in and out of it by teaching him where the ramps and steps are. Miniature Schnauzers are not typically known as "good swimmers", so heed this summer care tip: have your Miniature Schnauzer wear a life jacket or life vest for dogs.

   

   
   
   Summer Care Dog Tip #6 – Don’t allow your Miniature Schnauzer to go swimming in the pool or in the ocean alone. Always supervise your Miniature Schnauzer’s activities in and around water including the pool or at the beach.

Taking these precautionary measures for summer care, will decrease the chances of your Miniature Schnauzer succumbing to the summer's heat.

	Cooling Mat – A cooling mat helps regulate your dog’s body temperature. Your schnauzer can have ultimate comfort and the coolest, softest spot in the house year round. Dogs love the cushy, cool, and dry sensation of the cooling mat.
	Cool it Bandana - The Cool It Bandana is made with non-toxic polymer crystals which absorb up to 30 times their weight and stay cool for several hours. These stylish bandanas are edged with reflective tape for higher visibility.
	Dog Pool – Provides the ultimate relief from the summer heat. Or you can use a kiddie pool and keep about 5 inches of water in the pool and have it in a shaded area of your backyard. Your Mini Schnauzer will love to sit in the water to cool off.
	Cooling Jacket - This Ruff Wear cooling vest works to keep dogs cool in the heat by exchanging the dog's heat with the coolness of stored water. It's light color also reflects sunlight & ultraviolet rays for more sun protection.

Also - check out these great summer care tips on what you can do to keep your dog cool if your air conditioning system quits working.

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Atlanta Weather Forecast, GA

Remember, your car's temps can rise very quickly to deadly levels for your dog. So even when your running a few short errands - it's better to leave your dog at home than risk his life in a parked car!

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SEASONAL SAFETY INFO:

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Summer Dog Care

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Keep Your Dog Cool without Air-Conditioning

Winter Safety Tips for your Pet

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