Dog (and Cat) Days of Summer Safety Tips
During the summertime, we know how much fun it can be to spend those long, hot days outside with your pet. As tempting as it can be, there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure the safety of your pets. In this article, we will go over some easy tips to practice during the dog (and cat) days of summer with input from our own Dr. Kate Garbaciak.
Things to Avoid
Avoid overexercising your pet during the higher temperatures. Pets don’t always slow down when should when they’re having fun so they may not indicate obvious heat stress until it’s too late. As an alternative, you can safely practice indoor enrichment with your pet at any time of the year! Check out our indoor enrichment article for lots of DIY at home tips.
Never leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle for any amount of time. Temperatures increase rapidly inside of a vehicle which can be deadly for pets and it isn’t enough to just crack the window open. Additionally, leaving your pet unattended in a vehicle is illegal in the state of Illinois.
Whether your pet is a seasoned swimmer or more on the skeptical side, never leave your pet unsupervised around a pool. Accidents can happen quickly near the water so it’s best to take extra precautions. If you’d like to have your pet swim with you, make sure you introduce them gradually to swimming so they become comfortable with it. Additionally, play it safe at the lake. Your pets are also susceptible to strong under currents and if you like to go swimming or boating with your dog they also make doggy life jackets!
During the summer months, feel free to trim your pet’s hair but avoid completely shaving them. The layers of your pet’s coat keeps them safe from sun exposure and overheating. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat my removing loose fur and will prevent matts.
During walks, avoid walking on hot asphalt. This surface can cause your pet’s paw pads to burn. “To see if the pavement is too hot for your pet to walk on, hold the back of your hand on it. If it's too hot to hold for 5 full seconds, it's too hot for your pet's paws too,” notes Dr. Garbaciak.
Remind your guests to not give your pet table food. Here’s a list of people foods to avoid feeding your pets.
Know the Signs
Knowing the symptoms of overheating in pets is crucial. “The most commonly observed signs of heat stroke in pets are collapse, rapid breathing, and inappropriate mentation/dullness. Other signs include diarrhea, drooling, and red gums,” describes Dr. Garbaciak. Other signs can include lethargy, bloody stool and vomiting.
Some pets may be particularly sensitive to the warmer temperatures, but how do you know? Dr. Garbaciak says, “Some things to keep in mind when exercising your pet in the warmer months include their breed, age, and body condition. Brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs, French bulldogs, and pugs are less efficient at regulating their body temperature via panting, and are therefore more prone to heatstroke. Young, athletic dogs may be more driven to play and run than others, and may not know their own limits when it's hot out. Older dogs may also have less endurance and be less efficient at cooling themselves. Dogs that are overweight or obese are also more prone to developing heat stroke, so take the weight loss plans into the kitchen during the warmer months!”
Is your pet up to date on their heartworm and flea & tick preventative? “Fleas and ticks can bug our feline friends as well as canine friends. Make sure to stay up to date on flea and tick preventatives, especially during the summer months,” warns Dr. Garbaciak.
To avoid any surprises, be sure to visit your vet for a checkup and heartworm test!
Keep It Cool
If you do want to hang with your pet outdoors, be sure they have access to clean water and shade at all times. Set a water bowl in a shady area so they can take breaks from the sun.
It’s important for them to have a shady oasis indoors, too! Keep the blinds closed on one panel or in one room of the house so your pet can escape the sun for a bit. Pets don’t know how to regulate themselves from the heat, so it’s important to encourage breaks for them.
If your pet is tolerant of wet food, this is a great way to increase hydration. If they can’t handle wet food, you can place a few extra water bowls around your home to encourage hydration.
While we don’t recommend cats roaming outside unsupervised, lightly cleaning them with a damp cloth is a great way to cool them off on a hot day. Cats are used to a bit of moisture as they groom themselves. If you want your cat to be able to enjoy the great outdoors with you, take the time to train them to accept a feline harness with a leash so you can keep them safe.
For cats, be sure to brush them regularly so they’re not getting matted fur or “hairballs.” Avoid shaving them entirely as their coat protects them from the sun.
We hope you found these tips useful and that they help you keep your pet happy and healthy this summer! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment. As always, we are here for you and your pets.