These pet safety tips will help keep your friend healthy and happy even when the temperature rises!
When summer starts, many pet owners are happy that it’s finally the perfect time to spend more time outside with their companions if they have a dog or that they are excited for those lazy afternoons inside the home if they have a cat.
Road trips, hikes, and backyard barbecues become staples of the season, and our furry companions are generally around us, enjoying our presence and the good weather.
But the sunshine is not all tail-wags and fun, and it’s important to keep in mind that the summer season presents some unique threats. This is why the following pet safety tips should keep your friend happy and healthy during the scorching days.
So, whether you have a dog, a cat, or any other pet, remember that the hot weather affects them in the same manner it affects us, and you should take a moment to prioritize their well-being.
1. Protect their skin and paws
Just like us, certain pets are susceptible to sunburn. But while you can use sunscreen to protect your skin, this is not possible for pets. Light-furred, short-haired, or hairless breeds are the most exposed to this danger.
Veterinarians recommend taking your pet for a walk outside the peak hours, which are typically 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. But depending on how hot it is outside, you can sometimes wait even until 7 or 8 p.m. This is especially true if you live in a city where concrete gets incredibly hot and it’s nearly impossible for animals to step outside.
Shade is incredibly important, and during the peak hours, you should discourage your furry friend from sunbathing outside. If you really need to go outside, you can try pet-safe sunscreen. Try to cover the exposed areas, such as ears, noses, and bellies.
If your pet is at high risk, one of the pet safety tips says you can use lightweight protective clothing that is specifically designed for animals and is so popular because it offers an additional layer of sun protection.
Also, protective booties are ideal when you need to take your dog outside when the asphalt is still hot. Still, you should try to stick to grassy areas whenever possible.
2. Parasite protection
Unfortunately, summer is the peak season for fleas and ticks, and this is why one of our pet safety tips is all about protecting your friend from getting infested with parasites.
It is true that fleas and ticks can be a problem all year, but when the weather gets hotter, their populations explode. Generally, their season is from late spring until early fall, but during the summer, your pet is at greater risk of infestation.
Fleas do so much more than cause an annoying itch. Their bites can lead to hair loss, skin problems, and even anemia and tapeworm infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ticks are notorious for transmitting Lyme disease. This is a serious disease that can infect both your pets and you.
The best weapon against these parasites is prevention. So, one of our pet safety tips is to consult your veterinarian about parasite prevention as soon as possible.
Topical or oral medications are both incredible options, and they generally offer protection for up to three months.
3. Try to stay safe while on the road
According to a 2023 study, an estimated 78% of pet owners travel with their pets each year. Yes, summer is a time for adventure and road trips, and maybe you want your furry companion to be with you, but you have to be careful.
There are many pet safety tips out there, but many of them forget to mention the dangers of traveling with a pet during the summer.
One of the first things is to keep those windows up. It is dangerous to let your dog ride in the car with their head out the window because you are exposing them to various dangers. The easiest way is to keep the windows up. Also, doing so means the a/c you have in the car can cool things down, which means a more comfortable ride for anyone who’s in the vehicle. Debris or bugs that are kicked up by passing vehicles can injure the eyes of your dog, so why not just keep them inside?
Also, never leave your dog or any pet in the back of your pickup truck. This is incredibly dangerous, and the risk of falling out at high speeds is extremely high.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) strongly recommends creating a secure place for your pets during car rides. You can achieve this by using a crate secured to the car, a pet seatbelt, or a pet car seat. All of them are good options and will make the trip more comfortable.
4. Stay away from the heat
Our beloved cats and dogs have fur coats all year, and as you can imagine, the way they are battling the heat is quite different from ours. We sweated to cool down. Pets can also sweat, but in insignificant quantities and generally from their paws.
This makes it difficult for them to regulate their body temperature, especially during the hot summer months. Dogs and cats tend to pant when they can no longer tolerate the heat, but this inability to regulate body temperature makes these scorching moths incredibly dangerous for pets.
Many times, pet owners underestimate their animal’s vulnerability to heat, and this can get dangerous. The best thing you can do is to avoid the heat as much as possible.
Among our pet safety tips, hydration is key. Your friend should always have access to fresh water. If you go outside with your dog, don’t forget to carry a portable water bowl and always stop for water breaks. If you have a cat, one of the best purchases is, by far, a water fountain. We all know that cats are notorious for not drinking enough water, but this type of fountain can actually save their lives, especially on hot days.
If frantic panting, excessive drooling, lethargy, disorientation, or even seizures are present, these are clear signs of overheating. If you notice any of these, you must act quickly, as your pet’s life is in your hands.
Move your pet to a cool area and start applying lukewarm cloths to their armpits and belly. Also, seek veterinary care as soon as possible, as this is a veterinary emergency.
5. Water safety first!
The heat can make your pup seek cool relief in any available body of water. Lakes, ponds, and the ocean—it doesn’t matter; some dogs love water. But not all waters are safe for your buddy.
This is one of the most important pet safety tips that any owner should know, but many simply overlook it. For example, algal blooms can be dangerous to most pets because they cause blue-green algae poisoning due to the cyanotoxins that they contain.
Most of the time, you find blue-green algae in lakes, ponds, and other bodies of fresh water. Vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, weakness, and even sudden death can mean your pet got intoxicated. These toxins have an unpredictable nature, and as soon as you notice even the mildest signs, go to the vet.
If your dog loves to spend time in the water, consider safer options such as kiddie pools, sprinklers, and pet splash pads.
In case you need a portable water bowl, this one is an amazing and incredibly popular choice: Collapsible Dog Bowls for Travel, 2-Pack Dog Portable Water Bowl for Dogs
You should also read: 13 Signs Your Dog Might Be Overprotecting You
