What a joy to be able to go on holiday with your dog!
Your loyal companion follows you everywhere, and you want to make the most of every moment with him. Whether you're heading to the mountains, the seaside, or the river, you've undoubtedly planned wonderful times together, with activities specially designed for him. However, during this summer season, there are many dangers that can harm your dog's well-being and health.
1. Leave it in the car in the sun, even for 5 minutes
If you're an animal lover like us, you know that the first thing you shouldn't do when taking your dog on vacation is leave them in the car, even with the windows slightly open. Despite all the warnings about this, it remains one of the leading causes of death in dogs. In summer, heatstroke is common and can have irreversible consequences for your pet.
According to an experiment conducted by CAA-Québec, if the outside temperature is around 22°C, the temperature inside the car can reach 50°C! But 22°C in the middle of summer is quite rare (except perhaps in Brittany), so you can imagine how hot it can get inside a car when the mercury rises above 35°C.
That's why, if you go out to do a quick errand, even to buy a baguette, take your dog with you or leave it in the rental.
2. Take it out during the hottest hours
Going for a walk to stretch their legs and relieve themselves is vital for our canine friends. However, during the summer season, the temperature rises very quickly, and from 10 a.m. (or even earlier in some regions), it becomes unbearable for both you and your dog.
And you're lucky, because you have shoes! These shoes protect you from the heat radiating from the asphalt!
Yes, here's another thing you shouldn't do on holiday with your dog: take it out when temperatures are approaching or exceeding 30°C, because the asphalt becomes extremely hot! About twice as hot as the ambient temperature.
To limit the risk of burning your dog's paw pads, several options are available:
- Go for walks early in the morning or in the evening after 8pm;
- Absolutely avoid taking it out between 11am and 4pm, which are the hottest hours;
- Prefer routes in cooler areas such as grass or trails;
- Apply a protective balm to nourish and protect the pads before and after;
- Put shoes on him, but you'll have to get him used to them before the big day so he's not bothered;
3. Let him play in the water all day
Some dogs love water and could spend hours running, playing, or swimming. However, this fun and enjoyable activity presents more risks than one might think and is also one of the things you shouldn't (too often) do on vacation with your dog.First, there's the risk of drowning. Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs are good swimmers. Some are quite strong swimmers, while others could sink and drown. If your dog isn't very good in the water, consider using a life jacket; it could save its life. However, never leave it swimming unattended.
There's also a particularly fun activity for children: playing with a hose with the dog. The idea comes from a good place, but it's not without risk. When you play this way with your dog, you think they'll get exercise, stay hydrated, and above all, cool off. However, you might forget one important thing: gastric torsion (bloat). This torsion is caused by the large amount of water ingested combined with physical exertion. If it's not addressed in time, this little game could be fatal for your dog. So, it's definitely something you shouldn't do while on vacation with your dog.
4. Taking him to the beach in 30°C weather
Always in the water, but not only that. When you think of the beach you think of the sea (obviously), but also of the sand and not necessarily of things not to do on holiday with your dog.
Let's start with seawater, which some dogs love because they can chase waves, swim to retrieve a ball, and so on. For a short time, there's nothing to worry about; a good rinse and they're good to go. But if they stay in the water for several hours without being rinsed, the salt in seawater can irritate their skin. And if they aren't hydrated with fresh water, your dog risks severe diarrhea. So, limit their time in the water, prevent them from swallowing water, and rinse them off when you get home.
Next, the sand. Haven't you ever walked barefoot on the scorching afternoon sand? Then imagine how your dog must feel on a leash on boiling sand, a bit like walking on asphalt. Try not to make him walk too far before reaching the sea. There are other precautions to take as well:
- Clean your paw pads after each walk to avoid irritation of the toes;
- Rinse your eyes with saline solution to prevent conjunctivitis.
5. Forgetting your parasite treatment
One last, but crucial, point about things not to do on vacation with your dog: forget the flea and tick treatment! It's essential for keeping fleas , ticks, and mosquitoes away. These parasites carry diseases that can be fatal to our pets, such as babesiosis (piroplasmosis) in ticks, Dipylidium caninum (dipylidium) in fleas, and leishmaniasis in sandflies (mosquitoes).
By choosing the right protection against parasites , you protect your dog from these invasions and the diseases associated with them.
In conclusion, as your dog's owner, you must ensure their well-being and health. That's why we've written this article on the 5 things you shouldn't do on vacation with your dog, to help you have a wonderful holiday with your loyal friend, without having to rush to the vet in an emergency.
