Dogs In Desert Climates
@ControlledChaos (179)
United States
February 17, 2007 12:17am CST
I'm thinking seriously about relocating. I have elderly relatives who could use some help in Phoenix, but I don't want to give up my 2 dogs. I can't have them in the house there, because I would be too concerned about them tripping my elderly aunt and uncle or knocking them down. My question is... Is it possible to keep dogs outside in hot climates as long as they have shade? Is this even an option? I'd never really thought about it before and I really don't know. Please help!
1 person likes this
5 responses
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
17 Feb 07
We live in West Virginia so we have all kinds of weather from severe cold to heat. We never kept our dogs in the house till the puppy we have now. You have to take care to see that they have shade and a house that will protect them from all the elements. We always had dogs ever since I can remember. But if your pets are used to being in the house, they may not adjust to being out doors. I suggest you contact a vet in the area that you are relocating to. They would be able to tell you if it is possible in that area.
1 person likes this
@ControlledChaos (179)
• United States
17 Feb 07
That's a great idea! I can't believe I didn't even think of contacting a vet there... lol
@LilooDallas (61)
• United States
17 Feb 07
The relatives we have in AZ don't have pets. It can get to be 110 degrees outside. They don't go out until it's night time. I suggest you give the doggies to a friendly home. Don't make them suffer in those extreme temps if they aren't used to it.
1 person likes this
@ControlledChaos (179)
• United States
17 Feb 07
That's an option I've been considering too. I really hate the thought of saying goodbye to them, but since I'm not sure how long I'll be gone (if I go), I'm hoping maybe I can find someone who'll take them for a while to see how things go. Maybe I'll be back in a few months and could get them back.
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
8 Mar 07
I am a person that believes in having my dogs as inside dogs.
If you are used to your dogs being inside with you...you may find it more difficult to watch them have to stay outside.
Although, I am sure that as long as they have plenty of water, shade and shelter...they would be ok. But I would personally struggle with wanting to bring them back inside with me.
Maybe it would be possible to bring them into your room at night so you are able to keep that close loving relationship with them. But a word of warning...they will smell like outside dogs too. LOL :)
@misskatonic (3723)
• United States
17 Feb 07
In Phoenix? As long as they have shelter/shade and water. It's actually considered animal abuse down here to keep dogs outside with no shelter in the summer heat. The temperatures reach dangerous degrees. Last summer there were a lot of dogs seized from people who left them out with no shelter - it's taken pretty seriously.
But as long as there is shelter for some kind of shade, it's alright.
1 person likes this
@ControlledChaos (179)
• United States
17 Feb 07
That's the answer I was hoping for... I wouldn't think of leaving them out with no shelter/shade. It still almost seems like it would be too hot for them, but I'm going to keep thinking of ways to try to keep them. Thanks for your advice!
@EdwardF (431)
• United States
18 Feb 07
I really don't know much about the subject. I do know my brother-in-law lives in Texas and he says it gets to hot in the summer for his 2 labs and he has to let them in. Also I lived in Florida for 8 years. I can honestly say I didn't know anybody that had a dog that wasn't an indoor pet.
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your friend
