Hot Dog Summer
Prepping your canine for longer excursions.
As we gear up for another hot Montana summer and more adventures with our four-legged pals, it’s important to keep their health and safety in mind when out in the woods. Here are a couple of tips to make sure you are as prepared as possible to help out your canine companion.
Bring extra water and snacks. If it’s especially warm and sunny, a cooling harness can help keep your pup from overheating. Doggles (yes, that’s right, dog goggles) can help protect your dog’s eyes from the sun on really bright days—and are even more important in the winter to prevent snow blindness.
A medical kit for you and your pup is always a good idea. The contents of your kit should vary depending on the outing, but the basics include include tweezers, alcohol wipes, gauze, vet wrap, and Benadryl.
Young puppies and dogs with lighter or pink skin are more prone to sunburn on exposed areas like their noses. Consider using dog sunscreen on lighter colored snoots. The same breeds can also have softer paws, so use a product like Mushers Secret Wax for moisturizing pads and keeping them from cracking. I lather it on my dog’s paws and rub the excess on my own hands to keep us both moisturized. If the wax doesn’t do the trick, dog booties might be the next step. There are a variety of different brands, shapes, and sizes for all different toe beans.
A medical kit for you and your pup is always a good idea. The contents of your kit should vary depending on the outing, but the basics include include tweezers, alcohol wipes, gauze, vet wrap, and Benadryl. For more intense or far-out backcountry trips, a doggy evacuation harness is a great idea. It’s something you hope you’ll never have to use, but if youhad to carry your dog out any measurable distance, you know it’s worth the investment. For backpacking, a pack for your dog can also be very helpful in lightening your own load. But keep in mind that it’s very important not to overload your pup’s pack. He should carry no more than 25% of his body weight.
Before heading out on any big trip, make sure to do a shorter practice run with any new gear.
Finally, if planning to take your dog boating, don’t forget a life vest! Even if your dog could compete with Michael Phelps, it could save his tail if he gets into a pickle. Not to mention, most canine PFDs come with a handle that makes scooping dogs from the water a breeze.
Before heading out on any big trip, make sure to do a shorter practice run with any new gear. Make sure it fits and check for rubbing or skin irritation before going on longer outings. We already know our pups look adorable, but we want them to feel great, too!
Marissa Dion is a manager at Bridger Animal Nutrition, and enjoys adventures with her faithful, furry companion, Stormin’ Norman.
