Pet Safety: 5 Hazards When Hiking With Dogs

Basic Pet Safety

I know we’re talking about pet safety in general, but we want to focus on dogs as they are the companion of choice when folks go outdoors. Your canine “wingman” if you will.

Everyone love’s a good hike, especially dogs. And what better way to get some exercise and enjoy a hike outdoors than bringing your dog(s) along to go with you right? One big thing to keep in mind, is Arizona’s summer heat can be brutal even fatal to your pet and even you. Temperatures can get hot very quickly! If you are hot and feeling miserable, your dog will be feeling that too. It’s important to keep both you and your pet hydrated and safe.

Speaking of hydration, check out my article on How to Stay Hydrated In The Desert Heat. Staying hydrated is your number one concern in tolerating and surviving the Arizona heat.

Pet Safety Checklist

Want to keep your dog and cat happy, safe, and healthy? Here are a few DO’s & DON’Ts to follow in that Southwestern spring and summer heat.

Do’s

1. Check the sidewalk or asphalt temperature: If it is too hot for you to touch, it is too hot for your dog’s paws!
2. Verify the weather before you walk your dog outside: Try to avoid walking your dog mid-day when it’s the hottest. Try and limit your animal’s exercise if it’s above 85 degrees.
3. Walk your dogs in the cooler time of the day: Early in the morning before 10 am or after 5 or 6 pm in the evening.
4. Provide shade for your outdoor pets: In the AZ heat and sunshine, your dog will need shade for cover and hopefully a breezeway there as well.
5. Water: Carry enough water for you and your pet(s). You can’t have enough water here in the summer.

Don’t

1. Leaving your dog or cat in the hot car CAN BE FATAL! Temperatures in an enclosed vehicle will heat up quickly, and even when you think it’s reasonably cool out, the temperature in the car is likely 15-25 degree hotter!
2. Don’t leave your dog outside in the summer heat. Not only can your dog’s skin burn in the heat, but they can get dehydrated and even suffer heatstroke. Never leave them outside in the heat for more than 30 minutes at a time if possible.
3. Do not forget to give your pets PLENTY of water before you leave the house. Dogs can become severely dehydrated, especially in the hotter summer months. So always be sure to keep enough water for your dogs or cats no matter what and place the water bowl or bucket where it’s in the shade all day too!
4. Pay attention to outside temperatures. Asphalt can be 30-40 degrees hotter than the outside temps. Protect your pooch’s feet!

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona reports receiving pet safety calls every year, usually after outside temperatures have reached the 80-degree mark. Arizona Revised Statutes allow police and animal control officers all over the state more latitude in enforcing animal cruelty laws and rendering aid to animals in need. It is a crime to leave an animal in a hot car, subject to injury, and any instance you witness should be reported to your local County Sheriff’s Department or Animal Care Center.

Leaving An Animal In A Hot Car In Arizona Is A Crime

Arizona revised statute section 13-2910 makes it a criminal offense for anyone who “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly leaves an animal unattended and confined in a motor vehicle and physical injury to or death of the animal is likely to result.” Although many communities, such as the City of Tucson and Pima County, have had similar laws on the books for years, this State law will make the enforcement universal.

The statute also allows “a peace officer, animal control enforcement agent or animal control enforcement deputy [to] use reasonable force to open a vehicle to rescue an animal if the animal is left in the vehicle…” Police officers and animal control officers would enjoy immunity under the law from any damage they cause to the vehicle while affecting the rescue.

The amendment also criminalizes a lack of medical attention “that is necessary to prevent protracted suffering.” This was an important addition as lack of medical attention is one of the more common forms of serious neglect seen by authorities investigating animal cruelty cases. Arizona Police and Animal Control Officers are especially vigilant each summer to provide pet safety enforcement in these issues.

Hiking With Your Dog.

If you do plan to take your dog(s) with you, be sure you bring a water bowl, plenty of extra water and take measures to ensure your dog is not left in the vehicle under any circumstances subjecting them to extreme temperatures which can permanently harm or kill them. Minimize the time they are in the car or better yet, just leave them at home.

Don’t forget your outside pet at home either. Animals left on outdoor tie-outs are also at extreme risk during the summer heat. Far too often, dogs are confined to ropes, tethers, and chains that have restricted or no access to shade, shelter, water, and food.

Some owners may increase the stress on the animal by applying heavy chains unsuitable for pets or attaching a tether to a heavy object like cinder blocks, tires, or weights. If left in the heat, animals living under these conditions are at extreme risk for illness and death. All animals are required to have appropriate shelter, ventilation, and drinkable water under the city, county, and state laws. Tie-outs are illegal in the City of Tucson and Pima County.

Emergency Aid For Your Dog

If you leave your dog outside for any period of time and notice any of the following symptoms, take your pet to your local veterinary clinic immediately:

• Thick saliva
• Heavy panting
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Seizures
• Lack of movement

You can help treat your dog from heatstroke by cooling your dog from the inside out. Remove your dog from the heat to a cooler area, indoors for example, then direct a fan on his body, or lay your pet in the shade of a tree if you have a breeze. Next, you can dampen your pet’s entire body with cool water (Do not use cold water).

If you use ice packs, limit the ice to the chest, head, or neck area. Do not force the animal to drink water, as it could easily choke. Focus on keeping your dog’s immediate surroundings cool, and get your pet to a veterinarian ASAP.

Let’s talk about booties for your dog. With the super hot concrete and asphalt in the city and sharp prickly thorns in the desert and, in your yard, you might to start shopping for some booties to protect your dog’s paws.

Amazon has a great selection of booties you can choose from. A great pair of sturdy dog boots will keep those tender paws protected from injuries and allow your dog to run, jump and walk all over whatever terrain you both find yourselves in.

If it’s too hot out for you, it’s going to be too hot out for your dog as well. Do you, and your pet a favor. Try to stay inside during the heat of the day. And always have plenty of cool water in a large container in the shade outside for your dogs.

Desert Hazards And Pet Safety.

We talked a bit about pet heatstroke, but there are many more natural hazards you should be aware of. If there are a few things Arizona has plenty of, it’s sharp things like rocks, thorns, and cactus spines. We also have lots of mountain lions, bobcats, javelina, and coyotes that will take any opportunity to make your pet their next easy meal.

Coyotes

Let’s talk about coyotes for a minute. While there are a lot of other mammals that can be a threat to your pet’s safety.  Coyotes by far are the most dangerous in my opinion. They’re excellent predators and scavengers often hunting in packs. If you’re out by yourself with your dog, I suggest carrying a sidearm or at least a heavy long walking stick for protection. Like a 5′ long hardwood shovel handle for example.

They can and will be aggressive around smaller dogs, and they will snatch your pet away from you if they can. A coyote may also have rabies. A good rule is, if you see one coyote trotting alongside you in plain view, be aware there will be more coyotes prowling and skulking just out of your sight waiting for the opportunity to snatch your puppy. It’s a good idea to keep your dog on a leash when out in the desert.

Africanized Bees aka “Killer Bees”

While we are at it, let’s not forget about scorpions and Africanized Honey bees (i.e. killer bees) either. Pet Safety experts believe more than 90% of the honey bees in Arizona are Africanized hybrids. So beeware!

Rattlesnakes

With all the fore mentioned hazards, you need not be afraid to go out in the bush. But you do need to be observant and careful of your surroundings for your pets safety. Arizona for example has a lot of snakes. Not all of them are poisonous, tho Arizona has several reptile species to be on the lookout for. Not just for your dog’s sake, but yours as well.

Arizona has 13 species of rattlesnakes. No other State has as many types of rattlesnakes as we do in Arizona (Woo-hoo! It’s an AZ pride thingy.)

They are:

• Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus),
• Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis),
• Sidewinder Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes),
• Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchelli),
• Twin-spotted Rattlesnake (Crotalus pricei),
• Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris),
• Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi),
• Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox),
• Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus),
• Arizona Black Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerberus),
• Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus),
• Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus),
• My personal favorite; the Mohave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) Also known as the “Mohave Green”. This reptile just so happens to be the most toxic rattlesnake species in the United States. You can find them all over the north Tucson area.

Coral Snakes and Gila Monsters

Wait…., it ain’t just rattlesnakes we have either. There is the Arizona Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus) and the Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum). Both of which are extremely toxic for you and your mutt. Most dogs are going to be curious when they see a snake, even play with it. YOU need to help prevent your animal from getting a snake bite.

Rattlesnake Avoidance Training

If you’re concerned about pet safety, the best method to teach your dog to avoid snakes is Rattlesnake Avoidance Training. This training will help teach your dog to smell, recognize, and learn the sound of rattlesnakes through positive reinforcement to prevent being bitten. Your dog will learn that rattlesnakes are bad mojo and will hopefully avoid them when they notice a snake. Just think.. If your dog notices it first, it may prevent you from getting a snake bite too.

Closing Thoughts

Generally speaking, all dogs love the outdoors. If you’re going outdoors with your pets, you have to remember that hiking with your dog in the hotter weather means paying a lot more attention to your dog, especially if your pet is outdoors for an extended time.

Pet Safety is important! If you’re not aware of your pet’s condition, you can hurt or even kill your pet. Here are some tips to help keep your pet safe:

• Is your dog allowed on the trails: familiarize yourself with the leash and, by extension, the off-leash rules. Many of us trust our pets to roam close by while we walk, but park rules may require your pet to be on a leash at all times.
• Consider the weather conditions: tailor your hike with your pet accordingly. This way, if it’s stormy, you’ll know to dress appropriately, and if there’s a heat wave, you’ll be prepared to pack extra water, or even move your plans to a cooler day. This is especially important during the warmer spring and hot summer months.
• Bring enough water for yourself and your dog: Pack what you think you’ll need, plus extra in case of emergency. Also, be sure to bring a collapsible travel bowl or a special water bottle with a built-in bowl. Be sure to include some snacks for your pet
• Bring the proper leash: Arizona’s terrain is often rough, rocky, and steep. A short leash allows for more control and will help keep your dog close. In Arizona keep your pet safe by while being on the lookout for our wildlife.
• Get your dog hiking boots: Dog hiking boots can help protect your dog’s feet when you’re hiking rocky paths as well as hot concrete and asphalt surfaces in the summer. Bring an extra pair along just in case.
• Bring a pet emergency kit: This should contain basic pet first aid essentials like alcohol wipes, adhesive tape, bandages, tweezers, scissors, cotton balls, hydrogen peroxide, and some vetericyn wound and skin care hydrogel.
• Watch out for rattlesnakes and coyotes!