How To Chill Out With Your Pet This Summer

Heading to the cottage this weekend? We don’t mean to be a buzzkill, but the warmer temperatures and increase in humidity can pose multiple threats to our pets. Below are 5 tips to help protect pets from the summer heat and keep them comfortable!

Keep your house and apartment as cool as possible.

If you have air conditioning, use it! If you don’t have air conditioning, close the curtains, keep unnecessary lights off, open windows, and/or use fans. There are also cooling mats available on the market that can be used as an alternative.

Never leave your pets in the car.

On a 30°C day, the inside of a car can soar into the 40°’s in a matter of minutes, even with the window cracked! After 20 minutes, temperatures can reach a deadly 45° degrees. It is much safer for your pet(s) to be left at home or only taken places where they can accompany you indoors.

Be mindful of when you walk or exercise them.

Reserving long walks for early mornings or later at night will help keep your dog from overheating during the day. When you do go on walks or play at the park, make sure you bring lots of water with you and a collapsible bowl that your dog feels comfortable drinking from.

Check the pavement!

For many city-living pups or suburban cats who venture into the backyard, the heat of pavement and asphalt can be a serious burning hazard. If you can’t touch asphalt for 10 seconds without hurting yourself, it’s too hot for paw pads. Try to keep pets on the grass and stay off pavement as much as possible. You can also purchase booties that can be used to protect from heat in the summer and the ice and salt in the winter.

Offer plenty of water and shade.

If your pets are hanging outdoors, make sure they have full access to fresh, clean water and an abundance of shade. If your property doesn’t have a lot of trees, you can make your own shade using tarp, cloth, or a shade screen. Providing your dog with a kiddie pool or a sprinkler is another great way to have fun and keep them cool.

The tips above are just a few of the ways you can keep both cats and dogs cool this summer. If you would like to learn more about protecting pets from the heat and how you can prepare yourself for the coming months, speak with a local vet today!