Support Us Button Widget

How to protect your dogs outside this summer

Before you and your furry friend hit the great outdoors, read up on these tips on how to keep your pupper safe.

Two black-and-white dogs catching treats in their mouths at sunset.

With so many pet-friendly spots in Austin, it’s difficult not to take them everywhere.

Those 100º summer days are just around the bend, and with them comes your annual pet safety reminder.

Keep these tips in mind before you and your four-legged friends get outdoors.

  • When walking outdoors, check the pavement temperature. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.
  • Pack water for yourself and your pets when going on a walk.
  • Keep an eye out for unusual behavior like lethargy or excessive panting that could signal overheating.
  • Check algae status before allowing pets to swim — blue-green algae often found in Lady Bird Lake is toxic to dogs and people. View symptoms.
  • Never allow pets to drink from natural bodies of water.
  • Do not allow your pet to enter a body of water that is stagnant, has debris present, or if there has been rain within three days.

Don’t forget to check out our list of dog-friendly spots, and have fun.

More from ATXtoday
The 16th annual edition of Small Business Saturday falls on November 29 — the perfect time to help you add a local sparkle into your holiday shopping.
The Sunday dinner service from Aaron Franklin harkens back to Midwestern dinners and family-style meal traditions that began back in the early 1900s.
A new study from real estate firm Franklin Street states that 14.8 million sqft of commercial space in Downtown Austin is empty.
Join us in being thankful for Austin’s foodie community, which has shared some of their favorite Thanksgiving recipes to make your table a little more local.
A new wine styles selector tool can help you find your new favorite wine made from Texas Hill Country-grown grapes.
The new Shine On campaign will bring major changes to the tune of $65 million to both historic theaters starting this summer.
Austin Public Library will begin to sell its retired material out of its branches instead of the one central used bookstore.
Did you know the city and county provide interactive GIS maps of Austin to connect you to resources and help you get to know your communities?
This list of volunteer opportunities in Austin, TX includes everything from building homes for people in need to fostering shelter animals.
Austin is home to some ancient history, including gigantic aquatic lizards, prehistoric humans, and dinosaur tracks uncovered by flooding.