Swimming. Not all dogs are great swimmers, and even a great swimmer can get caught in an undertow. To be on the safe side, give your dog a life preserver, available at pet supply stores, especially if you plan to take your dog on a boat.
Fleas and ticks are more plentiful in the summer. Groom your dog regularly and look carefully for ticks and fleas. Your vet can prescribe medication to prevent flea and tick infestation, or you can purchase special preventive shampoos, dips, and collars.
Lawn and garden. Some plants are hazardous if dogs munch on them. Plan a "pet-safe" garden or do not allow your dog in your garden.
Insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can be dangerous or poisonous to pets. Residue accumulates on a dog's paws when she runs on a treated area; she could become ill if she licks the chemicals off her paws. Freshly-sprayed lawns are a particular concern if your dog is fond of eating grass.
Hot pavement or sand can cause footpad problems. If the surface is too hot for your bare feet (you can check the pavement with your hand), it's too hot for your dog's.
To remove sticky tar, rub the dog's footpads with petroleum jelly, wash with a mild soap and water, and rinse well. Do not use kerosene or turpentine; they irritate the skin and can be toxic.
Antifreeze. In warm weather, cars can overheat and leak antifreeze. This substance is highly toxic to dogs; take your dog to the vet immediately if you suspect that she has ingested antifreeze. Store your antifreeze in a locked cabinet or on a high shelf, and dispose of spills promptly.
In a study of nearly 3,000 dog deaths, the researchers found interesting trends in the typical ages at which canines from different breeds die, and typical causes of death. Among the intriguing findings: mixed breed dogs live longer than purebreds.
There were some pure breeds that bucked the trend, however. Shetland sheepdogs, poodles and dachshunds live longest, usually exceeding twelve years.. On the other hand, the dogs with the shortest lifespans were Bernese Mountain dogs, the Molossian-type dogs (which includes Rottweilers) and the Sighthounds (greyhounds, Scottish deerhounds, Irish Wolfhounds and the like).
Among the other surprises in the study, which was based on questionnaires filled out by Danish Kennel Club members, were the cancer rates among all dogs. Cancer was the second most common cause of death, killing 14.5 percent of the dogs in the study. Bernese Mountain dogs were the most prone to terminal cancer, with 34.4 percent succumbing.
The number one cause of death in the Danish study was described simply as "old age," and took more than a fifth of the dogs in the study. Other prominent, but less common causes of death were accidents, hip dysplasia, heart disease and spinal disease.