Summer Pet Safety: Prepare Pets For Summer Heat

  Posted on July 26, 2021  by Joy of Living  No comments

In the summer months it is natural to want to go outside and have fun. And, of course, your dog will want to join you. When they do, make sure to keep these summer pet safety tips in mind.

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Exercise Early In The Day

Do not over-exercise your pet, and keep him inside when it is extremely hot outside. The hottest hours of the day in summer are usually between 2p.m – 4:30p.m. You may have to get up a bit earlier in the morning to take him for a walk before that sun engages its full force. It get light by 6:00 a.m. here, so I’ve been taking The Poodle Pair out for walk around 6:30 a.m.

Look for walking routes that have shady spots to take short breaks. Take along water for you and your dog so you both stay hydrated.

Here in the Kansas City area, we’ve had several extreme heat warnings. Consider taking shorter walks and find games to play inside. One thing my dogs enjoy is their Snuffle Mat. They can use their noses to find goodies in the. nooks and crannies of the mat, and keeps them occupied for a little while.

Summer Car Safety

And if you take your pet with you in the car, NEVER EVER leave him in a parked vehicle. How would you like to be left in a furnace all alone? It takes just two minutes minutes in a hot car for temperatures to reach 80° to 94.3°. In one hour, with air temperatures of 80° outside, the interior temperature of a car in the sun will reach 120°. Even with windows left open, your pet could die from heat exposure

Summer Water Safety

Are you having a backyard pool party? Not all dogs know how to swim, so don’t leave your pet unsupervised around water.

When on boats, make sure your pets wear flotation devices. Rinse off your dog after he has been in the pool to remove chlorine and salt from his fur. Don’t not let him drink pool water, as the chemicals contained therein could cause stomach distress.

If you don’t have a built in pool, above ground pools are a great option. Wading pools can be a lot of fun too! Get one big enough so both you and your dog can get in and have room to play, or just relax. Get some toys like the FloatiezFloating Toy or the ChuckIt Amphibious Bumper Toy

Beware of Concrete

And then there are the paws. Have you ever tried to walk barefoot on a very hot day outside? Yeah, that lasts all of two seconds for you, right? Well, how do you think that blazing hot asphalt feels on your dog’s paws? Yeah. It hurts. A lot. His paws can burn, folks! Plus, since his body is far closer to the ground than yours, the heat coming off the pavement can cause your dog’s body to heat up quickly.

Signs Your Pet Is Getting Overheated

With the extreme temperatures, even when taking precautions, it’s easy for you or your dog to become overheated. Do you know the signs of overheating in your pet? Symptoms of overheating in pets can include:

• Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
• Drooling
• Lethargy and they might even collapse.

If you notice any of these signs, CALL YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY!!!! Get your pet to a cool, dry place, too.

Conclusion

While this is not an all-inclusive list, These summer pet safety tips serve as a reminder to limit time outside during extreme heat. Chances are, if you are hot, your dog is also hot. Stay inside during the hottest part of the day and find indoor activities both you and your dog can enjoy.

For more info on summer pet safety, click here