Summer is supposed to be a fun season for you and your pet. However, the rising temperatures can mean implementing more steps into your pet’s routine to avoid risks, as heatwaves and prolonged dry spells can cause problems.

How To: Pet Safety in the Summer

As a pet owner, you should consider several factors regarding pet safety in the summer. If you’re feeling hot, chances are your pets are too. Here are some essential tips to help you have a fantastic summer with your pet:

If you have a pet in a cage, terrarium, tank, or aquarium 

Since these animals live in a confined space, you want to choose the perfect area to place their home.

Suitable Places Around the House for Your Pet: 

• It’s important to ensure that they are not facing directly toward the sun to avoid overheating or dehydration
• A well-ventilated part of your house
• On tile flooring; as heat rises, it would be a good idea to place them closer to the ground

Hydrate Your Pet and Keep Them Cool 

Provide your pet with fresh water throughout the day, as they can become prone to dehydration in the hot weather. To help them cool down, you can set up a fan to maintain suitable air circulation. However, do not rely on this method entirely, as some animals do not sweat. If you have an aquarium pet, consider placing ice or ice packs in their aquarium to avoid overheating. If your pet lives in a tank equipped with a thermometer, monitor it multiple times throughout the day to ensure a safe temperature for them. 

Additionally, limit your pet’s exercise on hot days; in weather above 30 degrees. Adjusting their physical activity based on the temperature can mitigate heat risks. Short-nosed or flat-faced dog breeds like pugs, English bulldogs, and French bulldogs are also more susceptible to heatstroke. 

Outdoor Activities With Your Pet

The summer season rises in temperature every year, so you want to stay cool while enjoying the outdoors, and so does your pet!

How to keep your pet comfortable when you go outside

• Before your walk, take a step outside and test the pavement. You want to make sure the pavement is safe and cool enough to walk on, as it could result in burns within a few minutes at times.
• While outside, try to stay in the shade and make sure shady areas are easily accessible. 

Going to the beach

• Provide them with sun protection – you can apply animal-safe sunscreen on their noses.
• Bring lots of water.
• Keep their paws cool – you can rinse their paws with water if the sand starts to warm up.
• Make sure they are always in your sight – so that they don’t eat or drink anything you don’t give them, and you can see if there are any dangers in the water.

Take a swim

• Besides taking your pet to the beach, a blow-up pool is another excellent option to cool them down.
• Remember to have all necessary precautions, including fencing, to keep children safe. This is especially important if your dog loves water and swimming.

Fireworks

Vancouver summers are famous for the Symphony of Fire which brings thousands of people to English Bay to watch a fabulous display of light and sound. However, loud noises are among the most prevalent phobias in animals and can likely result in destructive behaviour, escaping from their properties and injuring themselves. Be sure to watch your pet and keep them comfortable. Try to soundproof your home by closing the windows and doors.

Pets and Vehicles 

Today, cars have numerous features and even pet-safe functions, but that doesn’t mean it is safe for your pet to stay there for a prolonged period. You should never leave them in a closed vehicle on a hot day. Cars can rapidly heat up, and the enclosed environment traps the hot air, making it difficult for your pet to breathe.

Plan Ahead

It’s important to think ahead and understand as much of your pet’s behaviours as you can. If you consider ways to handle potential emergencies or other temperature-related challenges, you will be more confident in handling and addressing these situations.

To Plan Ahead, You Can 

• Contact local pet stores about pet care
• Visit credible veterinary organization sites
• Understand your pet’s behavioural aspects to help identify signs that are out of the ordinary

A Few Signs of Dehydration in Cats & Dogs

• Dry mouth and nose
• Lack of energy/appetite 
• Sunken eyes

A Few Signs of Heatstroke in Cats & Dogs 

• Increased panting and breathing issues 
• Drooling and salivating 
• Agitation and fatigue 
• Increased heart rate

Conclusion 

If you’re ever unsure about how to protect your pet best, do your research. It’s also essential to keep up with your pet’s shots, especially in summer. The parvovirus spreads in hot weather, and your pet probably spends more time outside, which means it’s more likely they could come in contact with a critter with rabies. In addition, summer is the high season for fleas, which can spread many diseases. Get your pets on regular meds to keep them safe from pests this summer.

Establishing top practices for pet safety in the summer and understanding your pet and their needs gives you more time to think about the fantastic plans you will have with them. Be safe and stay cool!

Thanks for reading; get in touch if you have any questions about pet safety.