Originally published: August 16, 2020 | Last updated: November 3, 2024

TL;DR

Keep your pets safe in summer with these essential tips: provide unlimited fresh water, avoid hot pavement (test with your hand), never leave pets in cars, limit outdoor time between 10am-4pm, apply pet-safe sunscreen, watch for heatstroke symptoms, and protect against fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. See our infographic below for a quick visual reference.

Summer is a great time
to explore and enjoy the outdoors with your dog or other pet, especially after
a long winter. You can take them out for longer walks, hiking, and picnicking,
but remember that pets have limits when it comes to heat exposure that are
different than our limits.

Dogs have less of an ability to cool themselves off than humans do because they sweat less. Mostly all they can do is pant and continue to drink water. That’s why it is our responsibility as pet owners to protect our pet’s health and set healthy boundaries for outdoor time, especially in the hot summer months.

Understanding pets are
different from you will help you protect them when you venture outdoors with
them in the summer. See the following tips to keep your pet happy and safe all
summer long.

Continue reading →

Originally published: June 1, 2019 | Last updated: October 13, 2024

TL;DR

Essential summer pet safety tips: never leave pets in parked cars (temperatures reach 120°F+ in minutes), provide constant access to fresh water and shade, limit exercise during peak heat hours (10am-4pm), protect paws from hot pavement, watch for signs of heatstroke, and use pet-safe sunscreen on light-skinned pets.

Summer Pet Safety

Summer is the time of adventures and fun. From afternoon walks to camping, almost every activity is more enjoyable when you have your pet by your side during this period. Whether you’re walking your dog, going camping with your cat or playing outside with your bunny, you have to be very careful. As much as summer is the time of adventures, it is very important to be aware of the dangers it can mean for your pet.

We are sure you want the best for your furry friend, so here are some of the most important safety tips that you’ll need in order to keep them safe during hot days.

1. Summer heat poses a real threat to pets if they are left in the car. For example on a 30-degree day the temperature in the car can reach 39 degrees in less than 10 minutes. In order to keep your pet safe, never leave them in the car. It only takes 15 minutes for them to get a heatstroke.
2. Daily exercise is very important for your pets’ health but keeping them safe is even more important. In order to keep them safe and sound, try to exercise them in cooler hours, whether that’s in the morning or late afternoon.
3. Do you know what the signs of a heat stroke in pets are? It is really important to be aware of them, as you can save their lives. The first and most common signs are excessive panting, weakness, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, very rapid heartbeat and seizures. If you notice these signs, immediately move them to a cool area, douse them with cool water and allow them to slowly drink some.
4. Did you know that your pet can also get sunburned? In order to avoid that, keep them in shade or use some pet-safe sunscreen.
5. Summer months are high season for ticks, so watch out for them. Stop them by using a tick treatment that either kills or repels them if they attack.
6. When the temperature reaches 27°C outside, the pavement can burn your pets’ paw. In order to be sure it doesn’t burn, try to stay 5 seconds barefoot on the pavement, and if it’s too hot, then it definitely is hot for your pet too.
7. Here are some of the signs of burned paws: rough or dry paw pads, paw pads darker than usual, blistered or red, excessive licking of paws, or pet refusing to walk. If you notice any of these signs, it is best to contact your veterinarian.
8. If your furry friend has a long coat, you can give them a haircut. However, the best way to do that is by going to a professional groomer, as some breeds use their hair to keep their body cool. In most cases it is enough to just trim the hair, so shaving is not recommended.
9. As with everyone, animals’ water intake increases in the warmer months as well. In order to keep your pet hydrated, provide them with unlimited water access. To check if your pet is hydrated, gently pinch and lift the skin at the back of their head: if they are hydrated, their skin should snap back right away.
10. If you’re going to a pool or beach, don’t leave your dog unattended. Due to the warmer temperatures, dogs can get tired much faster and they might drown. Also it is possible they don’t know how to get out of the pool.
11. We need fresh air in the summer months, but we also need to be cautious with opening the windows and doors, as open unscreened windows and doors can be a real danger to pets. They might fall out.

If you need a quick list to remind you of these important tips, you can save or download this summer safety checklist from here. You can check it out everytime you might need to remind yourself of these steps to keep your furry friend safe this summer.

Author Bio:

Timi worked with Wire Fence on this checklist to collect the most important tips in order to keep pets safe in the summer heat. They also want to help animals in need so they are fundraising regularly for different charities/shelter animals.