ZOOZi Dubai Articles

Summer is when a dog's thoughts focus more than ever on the great outdoors, and how to spend as much time there as possible. The living may be easy, but summertime in Dubai can also be rife with pet hazards that range from dehydration to heatstroke to drowning.

The first rule of summer safety is to keep you pets hydrated. Remember, you pet is under your control when it comes to drinking, so make clean water always available, and keep the toilet seat up and the bowl free of chemical sanitizers in case the supply runs out. Protect pets from the sun's blaze by providing ample shade, especially at midday (and don't tie dogs outside without shelter).

Avoid walking dogs on scorching sand or pavement, and remember sidewalks can retain heat well into the evening. If conditions are steamy all day, don't bring your dog with you to an outdoor café; the pavement will be too hot for him to sit or lie down. Leave him at home in climate-controlled comfort, and bring him a doggie bag. Certain breeds, such as the St. Bernard, or some of the wolf breeds such as German Shepherd, or Husky prefer wintry climates, so don't go cheap on the air conditioning.

The swimming pool and the automobile — can be risky for pets. Never, ever leave any animal in a parked car (even with the windows open, it will become deadly hot in minutes), and prevent pets from drowning with Safety Turtle, a sensor that attaches to the animal's collar, linked to a wireless base station; if the pet falls into the water, an alarm sounds (also, "close" the pool when not in use with a sturdy cover by Looploc.com).

Examine your pet's coat several times daily for ticks; if you find one, remove it carefully with tweezers. Repel ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, and flies with nontoxic Herbal Gold Parasite Dust, which desiccates an insect's exoskeleton yet won't harm mammals (buckmountainbotanicals.com).

If you’re interested in adopting a pet in Dubai, check out the pets section on www.zoozi.com, Dubai’s online classifieds website for pets who need a home and protection from the sizzling summer.