When offering dog boarding here in Virginia, we at Healthy Hound Playground get a lot of questions from our clients about how to make sure their dogs are safe in the hot summer months. After all, nothing is more important than your best friend’s health and happiness! Here are our tips for making sure you and your puppy enjoy summer in a safe, fun way:
1. Ā Know how to deal with the heat ā By far, the number one threat to dogs in the summer is the heat itself. Remember, dogs do not sweat, which means that a walk or run that seems reasonable to you can be dangerously long for your furry companion. Watch out for signs of heat distress such as excessive panting, refusal to leave shade, or even collapse. Bring water with you and let your dog drink regularly during long outings. If your dog does get overheated, get him or her in the shade and help them cool down with a little cold water. Never force your dog to keep going.
2. Ā Never leave your dog in a car unattended ā Every year, plenty of well-meaning dog owners leave their pups in the car “just for a few minutes” or “with the windows cracked” only to end up with tragic results. Dogs can overheat quickly in a car, even with partly open windows, because cars act like a hotbox and a dog has no way to escape. Let your dog out and tie them up in the shade or take them with you.
3. Ā Be careful on asphalt and pavement ā Walking or running on pavement is always hard for dogs, but it’s worse in the summer for two reasons: we spend a lot more time outside in the summer, and the pavement can actually get so hot it burns their paws. Dogs can handle pavement in short jaunts, but if you take your dog jogging with you or on long walks, make sure there is grass or bare earth for them to walk on.
4. Ā Choose your fertilizer carefully ā Some fertilizers and other lawn care products can be poisonous to dogs. You can’t control what your neighbors use, but you can make sure your own yard is pet friendly. Talk to your veterinarian and ask what products to use or avoid.
5. Ā Prevent fleas and ticks ā Fleas are a nuisance for everyone, and ticks can carry disease. Make sure you are using an anti-tick and flea medicine of some kind.
6. Ā Use a leash ā Ultimately, most of the things that can hurt your dog in summer (or anytime) can be avoided or minimized by controlling your dog. A leash helps to protect your dog from traffic and lets you keep him or her out of yards that may have poisonous fertilizers.
What else do you do to keep your dog safe in summer?
Tags: dog boarding in Virginia
Giorgio playing it coolā¦sooooo cool. š #coolkid #coolkidsclub #doggydaycare #dogsofinstagram #italiangrayhound #italiangrayhoundsofinstagram #rockville #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #socute
Giorgio playing it coolā¦sooooo cool. š #coolkid #coolkidsclub #doggydaycare #dogsofinstagram #italiangrayhound #italiangrayhoundsofinstagram #rockville #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #socute
We would like to introduce you to one of our Blue Pearl vets (and friends), Dr Chivvis. Dr. Gal Chivvis is an experienced emergency veterinarian with over a decade of hands-on clinical practice. Driven by a passion for education and accessibility, she founded Critter Care Collective, a platform dedicated to making pet health information clear, practical, and engaging for pet owners everywhere. Through her website, www.crittercarecollective.com, Dr. Chivvis and her collaborators offer a wide range of resources covering pet diseases, medications, toxicities, behavior, and more. Her content is designed to empower pet owners with the knowledge they need to confidently care for their animals. As a published author, Dr. Chivvis has written multiple books, including The Dog Ownerās Guide to Health Emergencies, a hands-on activity book for kids aged 5-7, and a collection of fun and educational coloring books for children, teens and adults. Sheās also currently working on a picture book series for young children. The Dog Ownerās Guide to Health Emergencies offers dog owners clear, vet-backed information to help recognize, respond to, and prepare for common canine health emergencies. The book covers essential signs to watch for, what you can do at home, and what to expect at the veterinary clinic. With straightforward explanations, an emphasis on prevention, and a variety of helpful forms, charts, and visuals, it empowers pet owners to act confidently when every minute counts. The Critter Care Collectiveās, āOne Team, One Goal: Collaborative Pet Care,ā reflects Dr. Chivvisās core belief: that the best outcomes for animals happen when veterinary professionals and pet owners work together. Through her work, she strives to continue to bridge the gap between clinical expertise and everyday pet care. #vetlife #crittercare #dog #emergencymedicine #doghealth #oneteamonegoal #vets #dogsofinstagram #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #veterinarymedicine
We would like to introduce you to one of our Blue Pearl vets (and friends), Dr Chivvis. Dr. Gal Chivvis is an experienced emergency veterinarian with over a decade of hands-on clinical practice. Driven by a passion for education and accessibility, she founded Critter Care Collective, a platform dedicated to making pet health information clear, practical, and engaging for pet owners everywhere. Through her website, www.crittercarecollective.com, Dr. Chivvis and her collaborators offer a wide range of resources covering pet diseases, medications, toxicities, behavior, and more. Her content is designed to empower pet owners with the knowledge they need to confidently care for their animals. As a published author, Dr. Chivvis has written multiple books, including The Dog Ownerās Guide to Health Emergencies, a hands-on activity book for kids aged 5-7, and a collection of fun and educational coloring books for children, teens and adults. Sheās also currently working on a picture book series for young children. The Dog Ownerās Guide to Health Emergencies offers dog owners clear, vet-backed information to help recognize, respond to, and prepare for common canine health emergencies. The book covers essential signs to watch for, what you can do at home, and what to expect at the veterinary clinic. With straightforward explanations, an emphasis on prevention, and a variety of helpful forms, charts, and visuals, it empowers pet owners to act confidently when every minute counts. The Critter Care Collectiveās, āOne Team, One Goal: Collaborative Pet Care,ā reflects Dr. Chivvisās core belief: that the best outcomes for animals happen when veterinary professionals and pet owners work together. Through her work, she strives to continue to bridge the gap between clinical expertise and everyday pet care. #vetlife #crittercare #dog #emergencymedicine #doghealth #oneteamonegoal #vets #dogsofinstagram #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #veterinarymedicine
Drama from our medium playroom. Is Franklin innocent??
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #viral #dog #doggy #dogs #dogoftheday #doggydaycare #doggo #court #investigation #drama #whodidit #instagram #socute #instagood #trial
Drama from our medium playroom. Is Franklin innocent??
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #viral #dog #doggy #dogs #dogoftheday #doggydaycare #doggo #court #investigation #drama #whodidit #instagram #socute #instagood #trial
Harley refuses to acknowledge she is a teensy bit too big to sit on our laps. #ififitsisitsš¼ #goldenlife #goldenretrievers #goldens #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #dogs #rockville #doggydaycare #socute #goldensofinstagram #goldenlove
Harley refuses to acknowledge she is a teensy bit too big to sit on our laps. #ififitsisitsš¼ #goldenlife #goldenretrievers #goldens #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #dogs #rockville #doggydaycare #socute #goldensofinstagram #goldenlove
Happy birthday (or recent birthday), to some of our daycare & grooming friends! ššš„³ #Happybirthday #dogbirthday #rockville #doggydaycare #socute #socute #dogs #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #birthday
Happy birthday (or recent birthday), to some of our daycare & grooming friends! ššš„³ #Happybirthday #dogbirthday #rockville #doggydaycare #socute #socute #dogs #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #birthday
Itās Daisyās into day and she already has us wrapped around her little paw. š©· #dogs #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #rockville #dogsofinstagram #doggydaycare #socute #petme #bellyrubs #dogslife #doggydaycamp
Itās Daisyās into day and she already has us wrapped around her little paw. š©· #dogs #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #rockville #dogsofinstagram #doggydaycare #socute #petme #bellyrubs #dogslife #doggydaycamp
Weāre pretty sure Sky had a fun time on her intro day! š #puppiesofinstagram #puppy #sillypuppy #rockville #doggydaycare #dogs #germanshepherds #dogsofinstagram #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #puppyfun #germanshepherdpuppy
Weāre pretty sure Sky had a fun time on her intro day! š #puppiesofinstagram #puppy #sillypuppy #rockville #doggydaycare #dogs #germanshepherds #dogsofinstagram #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #puppyfun #germanshepherdpuppy
When the parents bring bubbles, it makes for a special day!
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #fyp #virginia #dog #dogsofinstagram #party
*Do not own rights to music*
When the parents bring bubbles, it makes for a special day!
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #fyp #virginia #dog #dogsofinstagram #party
*Do not own rights to music*
Snuggle Fest with the small dogs! ā¤ļøš¶š„° #snuggles #cuddles #dogsofinstagram #dogs #socute #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #rockville #dogdaycare #instagood
Snuggle Fest with the small dogs! ā¤ļøš¶š„° #snuggles #cuddles #dogsofinstagram #dogs #socute #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #rockville #dogdaycare #instagood
More of our Sweetheart Valentine`s photos!
#fyp #dog #virginia #love #animal #photography #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling
Parents should be checking their email for digital copies. Thank you so much for the special gift of caring for your pups and for letting them be our Valentine this year!
More of our Sweetheart Valentine`s photos!
#fyp #dog #virginia #love #animal #photography #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling
Parents should be checking their email for digital copies. Thank you so much for the special gift of caring for your pups and for letting them be our Valentine this year!
These babies have us swooning!
#valentines #photography #instagood #animallovers
We had a lot of pups sign up! We`re working hard to get all of our Valentine`s photos out. Parents should be checking their email for digital copies. If you haven`t received yours yet, we are still working on them. š„° Thank you so much for the special gift of caring for your pups and for letting them be our Valentine this year!
These babies have us swooning!
#valentines #photography #instagood #animallovers
We had a lot of pups sign up! We`re working hard to get all of our Valentine`s photos out. Parents should be checking their email for digital copies. If you haven`t received yours yet, we are still working on them. š„° Thank you so much for the special gift of caring for your pups and for letting them be our Valentine this year!
Here are a few of our Sweetest Valentines!
#instagood #dog #photography #fyp #love #explore
We had a lot of pups sign up! We`re working hard to get all of our Valentine`s photos out. Parents should be checking their email for digital copies. If you haven`t received yours yet, we are still working on them. š„° Thank you so much for the special gift of caring for your pups and for letting them be our Valentine this year!
Here are a few of our Sweetest Valentines!
#instagood #dog #photography #fyp #love #explore
We had a lot of pups sign up! We`re working hard to get all of our Valentine`s photos out. Parents should be checking their email for digital copies. If you haven`t received yours yet, we are still working on them. š„° Thank you so much for the special gift of caring for your pups and for letting them be our Valentine this year!
Our #doggydaycare Valentines at #healthyhoundplayground šš©š
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #valentines #doggyvalentine
Our #doggydaycare Valentines at #healthyhoundplayground šš©š
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #valentines #doggyvalentine
Happy Valentineās Day! š©· Our staff was spoiled today with so much love from your special ones. (Luckily, they treat us like itās Valentineās Day everyday!) āŗļø #luckyinlove #love #valentinesday #dogsofinstagram #dogs #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #doggydaycare #rockville #dogkisses
Happy Valentineās Day! š©· Our staff was spoiled today with so much love from your special ones. (Luckily, they treat us like itās Valentineās Day everyday!) āŗļø #luckyinlove #love #valentinesday #dogsofinstagram #dogs #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #doggydaycare #rockville #dogkisses
From Han Solo, Poppy, and all of us at Healthy Hound Playground!
#dogsofinstagram #valentines #fyp #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling
From Han Solo, Poppy, and all of us at Healthy Hound Playground!
#dogsofinstagram #valentines #fyp #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling