There is no better time of year to live at the beach than the summer. I love spending time outside by the ocean or the river and soaking up the UV rays, with sunscreen, of course.
As a devoted dog mom, I love bringing my dogs, Theo and Chili, with me everywhere. However, the heat of South Carolina summers can make it almost unbearable for them if I don't adequately prepare. Check out these tips that I use to enjoy the summer with my dogs and ensure that they're safe while doing so.
We all know how hot the summer days can get. If you're going to bring your dog out with you, make sure you bring plenty of cold water for them to drink. If you're planning to be somewhere with a large crowd, like a parade or festival, keep in mind that stress can increase dehydration, so your dog may need more to drink than usual.
If you're planning to take your dog somewhere where the ground is covered in concrete or asphalt, check the temperature first. If the concrete is too warm for you to leave your hand down for five seconds, it is too warm for your dog to walk on. If you're worried about hot pavement burning your dog's feet, you can invest in a good pair of dog booties for an added layer of protection.
If you have a sandy pup who loves surfing the waves and digging in the sand, you probably enjoy a trip down to the ocean. When planning a trip to the beach with your dog, you'll want to research the rules and regulations. All of our local beaches do have a leash law, and many prohibit dogs on the beach before 5 pm. However, during summertime, it's wise to wait to take your dog to the beach until later anyway to avoid the mid-day heat.
We've all heard horror stories of animals accidentally being locked in a hot car for too long. It's a good rule of thumb to leave your dogs at home if you have plans to go inside anywhere without them. Although you may only be planning to run in somewhere and come right back out quickly, you never know when you may get held up somewhere longer than expected.
Now that you're armed with plenty of tips and tools to keep your dog safe, I hope you're able to make tons of summer memories with your fur baby in tow.