Dog owners in Southern Arizona know that the summer months can be the hardest time to keep an energetic dog busy and happy.
Sarah Carotenuto of the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine said it’s not good for your dog’s health, and especially their paws, to be outside in the heat of the day.
"It's important for you not to probably go for a walk at the hottest parts of the day, too," she added.
She said if you’re going to go for a walk, make it early in the morning or late in the evening, when the pavement is cool enough to walk on. And if you can’t avoid having your dog outside, get them booties.
She also said water is key to keeping dogs cool, so you should make sure they drink plenty and consider getting them a kiddie pool or let them play in a sprinkler.
"Certainly, if you're going to allow your pet to swim, just make sure that they're a good swimmer and they're not left to their own devices, so they don't sink like a rock," she said.
She also said dog daycare centers, if you can afford them, are a great option, even just for one day a week.
And if all else fails, you can find or make your own enrichment toys that’ll take time and brainpower from them to unravel.
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