July 20th

By Mutt Mulligan

TurfMutt’s hot weather safety tips

TurfMutt loves to get outside in the family yard as much as the next pooch. But he also knows to play it safe when it’s super-hot outside. Good news is your family yard is much cooler than the asphalt and pavement surrounding your home and in your neighborhood.

In fact, research shows lawns can be 31 degrees cooler than asphalt and 20 degrees cooler than bare soil. And considering that eight average-sized front lawns can provide the cooling equivalent to air-conditioning for 18 homes, it’s easy to see why your pup will search for a grassy spot on hot days.

Trees in your outdoor living space also provide relief from the heat. It’s estimated that the temperature under a shade tree is 10-15 degrees cooler than being in the direct sunlight.

Give your pup playtime in the family yard early or later in the day, capitalizing on the coolest temperatures. You should also walk your pup when the temperatures are lowest (early morning or evening). Baking pavement is an “ouch” for sensitive paws!

Additionally, make sure your dog has plenty of cool, fresh water to drink. And never, ever leave your pets alone in a parked car when the mercury rises. It can be 20 degrees hotter inside your car than the outside temp in no time!