Originally published: August 16, 2020 | Last updated: November 3, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TL;DR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
Summer is a great time
\nto explore and enjoy the outdoors with your dog or other pet, especially after
\na long winter. You can take them out for longer walks, hiking, and picnicking,
\nbut remember that pets have limits when it comes to heat exposure that are
\ndifferent than our limits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s why it is our responsibility as pet owners to protect our pet\u2019s health and set healthy boundaries for outdoor time, especially in the hot summer months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Understanding pets are
\ndifferent from you will help you protect them when you venture outdoors with
\nthem in the summer. See the following tips to keep your pet happy and safe all
\nsummer long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
1.
\nKnow Signs of Overheating<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Have you ever seen
\nyour dog panting excessively? This panting is a signal to your that your dog is
\noverheating. A pet cannot verbalize to you in the way that other humans or a
\nchild can, so it is essential that you know how to read your pet\u2019s body
\nlanguage and pick up on important signaIs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is paramount to be
\naware of the warning signs that your dog is in an unhealthy state of
\noverheating, so he or she doesn\u2019t run into larger health problems such as
\nseizures, bloody diarrhea, and vomit when body temperature exceeds 104 degrees.
\nWatch for other warning signs like dry or bright red gums, thick drool, wobbly
\nlegs, and increased heart rate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you notice that
\nyour dog is overheating, bring your pet into a cooler temperature area as soon
\nas possible. This could be the shade, in an air conditioned vehicle, or
\nindoors. Provide water and allow time for your dog to cool off. If things
\nbecome more serious, take your pet to an animal hospital as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2.
\nProvide Plenty of Water on Walks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Water is critical when
\nin danger of overheating, but it\u2019s also important to be proactive and be sure
\nyour pet stays hydrated. You must provide sufficient water and shade for your
\npet as dehydration is both likely and common during the summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Signs of dehydration
\ninclude dry gums and excessive drooling. Before you even see signs, bring water
\nfor your dog as a common practice when you take your dog walking or hiking.
\nConsider that pets get thirstier than we do when they overheat so make sure you
\npack plenty of H2O!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are taking your
\ndog on a long walk during the summer, be mindful of what time of day you are
\nwalking your dog. Around noon is typically the highest heat point of the day,
\nso try to plan for the hours near sun rising or setting for cooler temperatures.
\nAlso, keep your dog\u2019s feet off of asphalt and cement so they don\u2019t burn their
\npaws and generate more body heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3.
\nNever Ever Leave Your Pet in the Car!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ve surely heard
\nthis rule of thumb before, but it cannot be stressed enough. Even when it is
\njust 80 degrees outside, the inside of your car can cook, especially if parked
\ndirectly in the sun. In fact, the temperature can even escalate over 150
\ndegrees! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It only takes minutes
\nin a parked car for the temperature to increase at least 20 degrees, causing a
\npet to suffocate or have a heat stroke. Leaving your pet in the car is even
\nillegal in 16 states<\/a>. Avoid running errands with your pet to avoid this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4.
\nDon\u2019t Shave Your Pet<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trimming is okay, but do not shave your dog<\/a> for the summer. A dog\u2019s fur is actually
\ndesigned to cool him or her off during the summer and keep them warmer in the
\nwinter. Dog fur also protects from sunburn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Protect your dog from
\nsunburn by leaving at least an inch of hair when you trim. If your dog has less
\nfur and exposed skin, make sure you apply a sunscreen<\/a> appropriate for dogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5.
\nParasite Protection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fleas, ticks, and
\nmosquitoes can carry tapeworms, heartworms, Lyme disease, and other parasites<\/a>. There are monthly medicines you can give to
\nyour pet as prescribed by a veterinarian to protect your pet and prevent
\ncertain diseases. Remember that many of these diseases can be caught by humans
\ntoo so you will also be protecting yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most important
\nthing you can do as a dog owner is be conscientious and mindful of your pet at
\nall times during the summer or a heat wave. Watch carefully for the symptoms of
\noverheating and be prepared in advance for remedies that can prevent
\noverheating, and other heat related problems like parasites and sunburn. Take
\ncare of your beloved pet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAuthor bio: <\/strong>Laurie is a freelance writer based on the east
\ncoast who enjoys writing on health and lifestyle topics. She spends most of her
\ntime contributing to Mattress Advisor\u2019s sleep health articles<\/a>, and in her free time enjoys being outdoors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n