As the sizzling summer months approach, you may want to head outdoors to soak up the sun and enjoy outside activities with your pet. However, the rising temperatures also pose certain risks to your furry friend. Our West Vets Emergency Veterinary Clinic team shares vital summer safety tips for pets to help you navigate the scorching season with ease, keeping your furry pal out of our emergency room.

Hydration is key to keeping your pet healthy

Keeping your pet hydrated is crucial year-round, but especially during the hot, humid summer. Always provide plenty of fresh, clean water both indoors and out so your furry friend can find water without a hassle. Dehydration can lead to serious health issues, including kidney problems and heatstroke. To encourage your pet to stay hydrated, offer:

  • Multiple water stations — Place several water bowls and fountains around the house and yard.
  • Portable water bowls — Use collapsible water bowls for walks and outdoor activities.
  • Wet food — Incorporate wet food into your pet’s diet to increase their water intake.

Beat the heat by providing your pet with shade and shelter

Pets can quickly overheat, especially those with thick fur coats, heart or respiratory disorders, a flattened face, or excess weight. Provide your pet with ample shade and cool spots to rest. Provide ample relief from the sun with:

  • Shaded areas — Create shaded areas using tarps, canopies, and pop-up tents where your pet can retreat from the sun.
  • Cooling mats — Keep your pet cool outdoors with a gel-filled cooling mat, damp towel, or elevated bed. 

Exercise your pet safely in the heat

Exercise is essential for your pet’s mental and physical health, but you should adjust routines to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Keep your four-legged friend safe and cool during exercise sessions by:

  • Switching walk times — Walk your pet early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler.
  • Checking pavement temperature — Test the pavement with your hand before walking your pet. If you can’t hold your hand on the ground for 10 seconds, it’s too hot for your furry friend to walk on. Choose shaded or grassy routes instead.
  • Limiting strenuous activity — Avoid excessive exercise, particularly for older pets and breeds prone to overheating.

Protect your pet from parasites

Summer is prime time for pests such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, which can cause various health issues ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening heartworm disease. Effectively prevent pests from bugging your pet by: 

  • Administering prevention — Year-round administration of heartworm, flea, and tick prevention will shield your pet from parasitic infections. 
  • Checking for parasites — After your pet has been outdoors, check them from nose to tail for fleas or ticks, as they can crawl through your pet’s fur before biting and attaching.

Groom your pet for the summer

Proper grooming can help keep your pet cool and prevent skin issues during the summer and year-round. When grooming your furry friend, focus on:

  • Regular brushing — Brush your pet’s fur regularly to remove excess hair and prevent matting, which will trap heat against their body.
  • An appropriate haircut — While you may believe that shaving your pet will keep them cool during the summer, doing so won’t because their fur coat helps regulate their body temperature. Not only does their coat insulate them in the winter, but a well-maintained coat also promotes circulation and heat dissipation in the summer.

Practice pet water safety

Many pets love swimming and splashing in water, but not all pets are natural swimmers. Keep your four-legged friend safe around water by:

  • Supervising swimming — Always supervise your pet around water, whether the water is only a few inches deep or above their head.
  • Outfit your pet in a life jacket — Outfit your pet in a life jacket for added safety, especially if they are not an experienced swimmer.
  • Rinsing off — Rinse your pet with fresh water after swimming to remove chlorine or salt.

Recognize heatstroke signs in your pet

Heatstroke is a severe risk for pets in hot or humid weather and constitutes an emergency. Being aware of heatstroke warning signs can save your pet’s life. When playing or exercising with your furry friend outdoors, watch for:

  • Rapid, heavy panting
  • Thick, ropy drool
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Bright red gums and tongue
  • Disorientation or incoordination
  • Weakness or collapse
  • Seizures

If you notice your pet overheating, bring them indoors immediately. Take their temperature, and, if it is more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, wet their fur with tepid water and use fans to encourage evaporation. Once their temperature drops to 103 degrees, stop cooling measures and head to West Vets Emergency Veterinary Clinic. Give our team a call so we can prepare for your arrival and be able to immediately care for your pet.