Summer time is a time for celebration and play. We go to parks, concerts, festivals and firework displays with family and friends.
However, our four-legged family and friends might find these stressful and dangerous. Threats come from multiple directions.
Noise: Concert and festival music can be fun for us but painful and damaging for our dogs. Dogs can hear a much broader range of sound than we can, particularly at the higher pitches so what we can tolerate might be uncomfortable for our pups. Noise phobias, a fear of noises like fireworks, thunder and other booms and snaps, are common in dogs with one study reporting ½ of dog owners noticing some fear response to noise in their dogs.
Crowds: Strangers walking by can be intimidating or threatening. Depending on how protective or fearful your dog is, the strain of being on constant threat-alert can trigger aggressive behavior even if your dog is not usually aggressive.
Heat: Pavement temperatures can reach over 130°F causing damage to footpads. Dogs can suffer from heatstroke and dehydration in hot weather.
Food: Dogs can get into foods toxic to their systems, particularly when food is readily available on the ground! Even if a food is doggut friendly, eating different foods often leads to vomiting or diarrhea.
Summer can be fun. Recognize the threats and be prepared. If you are considering taking your dog to an outdoor event, you should consider the above issues and leave your dog at home. It will be more fun and safer for both of you.
~ Rebecca Ruch-Gallie, DVM, MS, is the Service Chief at Colorado State University’s Community Practice & Shelter Medicine Clinic. For pet care information, please visit their website at http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/small-animal/community-practice/Pages/default.aspx or call 970-297-5000.