No one who lives in Vegas says, “But it’s a dry heat,” at least not after their first summer living here. Tourists utter that kind of nonsense, but not the locals. It’s damn hot here from May straight through September, and we know it. So as we shed our spring wardrobes for cotton dresses, shorts and sandals, we should also consider our dogs, especially the long-haired ones, who need some special attention if they are to remain happy and healthy through the dog days of summer.

The average temperature of midsize-to-large, healthy adult dogs is 101 degrees Fahrenheit, which is why they feel so warm and cozy when they plop down next to us on the sofa or the bed (depending on your house rules!). But the daily temperature in Las Vegas can easily hit 105 to 110 degrees — or more — every day in the summer months. According to forensic detectives here, that means the temperatures radiating off concrete, asphalt and hard-packed earth – i.e., down where your dog lives — can approach 200 degrees.

So if you’re hot, you can bet that your dog is hot, too.

What to do?

Play footsie. From the School of High Vet Bills, I’ve learned that a dog’s paw pads are more durable than our human feet, but they’re not indestructible. If your daily walks involve more pavement than grass, doggie “booties” are an inexpensive alternative to burned paws (they typically cost less than $20). Makes sense — you’re not walking around outside barefoot from June to August, right? If your dog absolutely hates the booties but its pads begin to look red and tender, consider changing your walking route.

Understand the undercoat. A dog’s undercoat insulates its body from excessive heat loss or gain in normal environments. Keeping it well groomed is extremely important in the desert. Aim for a weekly brushing with a good, long-toothed “rake”; at the same time, use a bristle brush on the dog’s weather-resistant top coat. Dogs that are not brushed frequently enough will begin to retain dead hair, making the dog more susceptible to fleas, ticks, mites and skin problems. Plus, they will smell bad.

Get to know your groomer. One extra thing I’ve been doing for our golden retriever Zazzy is to take her for a professional grooming at Petco in early June. I ask the groomer to use a No. 4 shear, which takes Zazzy’s silky blonde mane down to about half an inch in length. She looks a little funny the first couple of weeks, but she loves the results. She’s a lot more comfortable playing with the kids in the park, or going out on hikes with us to Red Rocks, Lake Mead or other local dog-friendly zones. Plus, her beautiful golden coat grows back by the end of summer so she’s ready for the cooler fall months.

Exercise caution. Because of their insulating undercoats, dogs don’t sweat like humans. They regulate their body temperatures by panting. This is important to keep in mind when jogging or playing with your pooch outdoors in the summertime. In the summer months the humidity can dip as low as 9 or 10 percent and, like us, dogs get dehydrated fast. So if you’re going to be away from home for any length of time with your dog, be sure to carry an extra liter of water per hour away, and make it available to your dog periodically. As for jogging with your dog in the summer, the best advice is: Don’t do it. Most dogs will run as long as you run, just to please you. But once their body temperature exceeds 105 degrees, heat exhaustion sets in and can quickly lead to heat stroke. Signs of heat exhaustion are hard, heavy panting and redness inside the ears. If this occurs, hose down your pet immediately and get to a vet ASAP!

Never, never, never … Leaving a dog in a parked car is as dangerous as leaving a child. The temperature inside a parked car can increase 50 percent over the outside temperature in just a few minutes, even with the windows cracked. Is your steering wheel hot after dashing into the grocery store? Yes? Then imagine sitting in that car with a fur coat on!

These tips might sound preachy, but they’re all vet-approved and based on hours of conversation with vets and loving dog owners here in Las Vegas. Keeping our pets comfortable keeps them happy and fun to be around. Now get out there and throw your dog a bone, or at least an ice cube!

Resources
An invaluable resource for any dog owner is the book “How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend” by the Monks of New Skete, a monastic community in upstate New York that has raised and trained German shepherds for more than 35 years. Here in Vegas, if your dog is social and moderately well-trained, a great excursion group is the Hiking with Dogs group organized through Meetup.com. There’s no cost to join and the excursions usually cost only $2 per dog (to cover the Web site’s administration costs).