8 Hot Tips for How to Keep Pets Cool in Summer

Aaaah the dog days of summer are almost here. Pet lovers need to take extra care during the hot weather to help keep their pets cool and prevent heat exhaustion. Domestic pets, especially dogs and cats, can be susceptible to heat related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Fido may love chasing the ball, but when the weather turns hot chasing the ball for too long can make him sick. Some of the heat related dangers facing our beloved dogs and cats can sneak up on even the most loving and doting pet owners without them realizing it. At SafetyInspiration.com, we want to help you keep your pets safe even in the summer heat! 

8 Hot Tips for How to Keep Pets Cool in Summer

1. If you live in a hot region, limit your pets outdoor times to mornings and evenings. Take them out for walks or play in the yard in the early mornings before the sun has risen very high and/or in the evenings after the sun has started to set. Avoid going out in the hotter times of day. Also, limit their play and walk time to avoid over-exertion when it is hot.
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2. Touch the ground with your bare feet before walking your dog. If the ground is too hot for your feet, it is too hot for your pet’s feet!  We often don’t even realize how hot the ground can get, especially when you live in a hot climate. Out in the desert for example, the ground can easily reach 100 degrees or more! So before you go walking your dogs on hot pavement, make sure it isn’t too hot for their paws.
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3. Make sure you provide cool, shady areas and ample water when you do let your pets outside. Their fur coats will not protect them from heat exhaustion! Make sure they don’t stay outside too long – if you are leaving them in the yard, set a timer for 15 mins to remind you they are outside and that it is time to bring them in.
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4. Keep your house cool. If you are going to work and leaving your pets home, make sure the air conditioning is on. Your house can heat up just like a parked car and being left in a too hot home can make your animals sick. If you can’t cool your whole home, designate a cool zone room and keep your pets in that cool room while you are away.
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5. Watch for excessive panting. Dogs and cats don’t sweat, they cool off by panting. If you pet is panting constantly, or faster or more than normal, this could be a sign they are overheated. Especially watch dogs with flat snouts, like pugs and bulldogs, as they cannot pant efficiently because of their short snouts, making them more susceptible to heat exhaustion.
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6. Feed them cooling treats – I like to mix dog treats in with water in fun shaped ice cube trays. These ice cubes become yummy treats that will help your dog stay hydrated and cool while they eat the ice to get to their treats.
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7. Make sure your animals have plenty of fresh, cool water! Dogs and cats don’t sweat, they regulate their body heat by panting, by drinking water, and by resting. Make sure they always have plenty of water available to help them stay cool.
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8. Hire a pet sitter to check on them while you are at work. Having a trusted pet sitter come to your home while you are at work all day is a great way to have peace of mind while you are at work. 8 hours – or more when you include the commute – is a LONG time to leave your pets alone, especially dogs. A pet sitter can break up their day with a welcome visit to check that they are well, give them some love, let them take a potty break, and make sure they are staying cool. 

If you suspect your pet has heat related illness, take them to a veterinary hospital. This post on the Noah’s Ark Veterinary Hospital’s website provides more info on heat exhaustion in dogs, including how to detect heat exhaustion and what to do if your dog gets overheated.

Our pets give us love year round – it’s our duty to love them back by ensuring they are healthy, safe and happy! So take care of your pets and help them beat the summer heat!

Safety Reminders for Caring Pet Parents

The Safety Inspiration by Liz shop includes a collection of items designed just for the pet lovers out there. The Pet Lovers Collection includes items especially created not only to show off your favorite four-legged family members, but also to help remind you to keep them safe. Please click the pic below to check out the Pet Lovers Collection in the Safety Inspiration by Liz shop!