Keeping Your Pets Safe and Cool This Summer
As the temperature rises and the sun shines brighter, it's important to ensure the well-being of our beloved pets, especially cats and dogs, during the summer months. The heat can pose various challenges for our furry companions, including overheating and exposure to potential hazards. In this article, we will explore some essential tips on how to keep your pets cool and safe during the summer and what to do if they encounter common summer hazards like bee stings and barbecues
Wet dog pic by Jack Geoghegan on Pexels
Bee Stings and Other Summer Hazards for Pets
- Bee Stings: If your pet is stung by a bee, watch for signs of an allergic reaction, such as excessive swelling, difficulty breathing, or collapse. Remove the stinger carefully with tweezers or scrape it off with a credit card. Apply a cold compress to the affected area and contact your veterinarian for further advice. This article also has some useful info for treating stings in pets.
- Hot Pavement: Test the temperature of the pavement before taking your pet for a walk. Place your hand on the pavement, and if it feels too hot to touch, it's best to avoid walking on it. Hot pavement can burn your pet's paws, so opt for grassy areas or walk during cooler times of the day.
- Parasite Prevention: Summer brings an increase in parasites like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. Ensure your pets are up to date on their flea and tick prevention medications and consider using pet-safe mosquito repellents. Regularly check your pet's fur for any signs of ticks or fleas, and consult with your veterinarian for the most effective preventive measures.
- Water Safety: If you're planning to take your pets swimming, make sure they are comfortable in the water and always supervise them. Not all dogs are natural swimmers, so provide them with life jackets if needed. Rinse off your pets after swimming to remove any chlorine or saltwater residue.
- Firework Anxiety: If you live anywhere near a fete or festival site there may be some summer fireworks and many pets can be frightened by loud noises. Try and find out in advance of any fireworks are being used and create a safe and quiet space for them during fireworks displays. Keep them indoors, close the curtains, and play soft music or use white noise machines to help drown out the sound.
- Sun Protection: Just like humans, pets can suffer from sunburn. Apply pet-safe sunscreen to areas of exposed skin, such as the nose and ears. Opt for a sunscreen specifically formulated for pets, as human sunscreen may contain ingredients that are toxic to animals.
- Watch for Signs of Overheating: Be vigilant for signs of overheating in your pets, such as excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, or collapse. If you suspect heatstroke, move your pet to a cool area, apply cool (not cold) water to their body, and seek immediate veterinary attention.
- Barbecue dangers – if you’re cooking meat outdoors some pets will find it impossible to resist so make sure nothing is left unattended and that they won’t be tempted to jump up onto a hot grill or steal anything that is cooking close by. If you have kebabs or anything that is skewered onto a wooden stick then make sure all guests place these into a bin or burn them on a barbecue as pets may be tempted to eat them and they can cause some serious harm.
Beach dog pic by Dominika Roseclay on Pexels
Keeping Your Pets Cool: Beat the Heat
- Provide Ample Shade: Create shaded areas in your backyard or outdoor space where your pets can seek relief from the sun. This can be achieved through shade sails, umbrellas, or strategically positioning their outdoor kennels or beds under trees.
- Fresh Water Supply: Keep a constant supply of fresh, cool water readily available for your pets. Consider adding ice cubes to their water bowl to help keep it cool for longer. Ensure that multiple water bowls are accessible both indoors and outdoors.
- Limit Outdoor Activities: Avoid intense exercise or outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day. Instead, take your walks or playtime sessions in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler.
- Indoor Retreat: Create a cool and comfortable indoor area for your pets. Ensure proper ventilation and consider using fans or air conditioning to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors. Provide soft bedding in a shaded area for your pets to relax on.
- Cooling Accessories: Use cooling accessories such as cooling mats or vests designed specifically for pets. These products are designed to provide a cooling effect and can be particularly beneficial during hot weather.
- Frozen Treats: Prepare frozen treats for your pets to help them cool down. Freeze water or broth in ice cube trays or invest in special pet-friendly frozen treats available at pet stores. These treats can provide a refreshing and tasty way to beat the heat.
- Wet Towels or Misting: Dampen a towel with cool water and gently wipe down your pet's body. You can also use a spray bottle to mist them with cool water, which can help lower their body temperature.
- Never Leave Them in a Parked Vehicle: Never leave your pets unattended in a parked car, even for a few minutes. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise rapidly, leading to heatstroke and even death. It's always better to leave your pets at home if you're running errands.
- Pet paddling pools. If your dog likes water then a specially designed pet paddling pool is a great idea for keeping them cool.
Sunny dog pic Matheus Bertelli on Pexels
The Gravitis Pet Supplies Dog Paddling Pool is different from a standard children’s paddling pool because it is designed to withstand rough play and general wear and tear from your dog’s teeth and claws. The pool is not inflatable so it will not puncture and you don’t need to spend hours blowing it up with a pump or deflating it after use.
Constructed from non-toxic PVC, the pool features a tough, non-slip floor and scratch-resistant lining with reinforced watertight seams and a screw-in plug which can be used to drain the pool quickly and easily once your dog has finished paddling. The sides are constructed from rigid, reinforced panels which fold away easily making it very quick and simple to put up or pack away and it packs down neatly into a manageable size – making it easy to carry or store away when not in use.
The rigid-panel design means that the pool will maintain its shape even when it has no water in it. This - coupled with the robust design and hard-wearing construction - make it suitable for alternative uses - such as an outdoor pet bath or dog ball pit. It can also be used as a children’s paddling pool, sand pit or play area too.
The Gravitis Pet Supplies Pool - Available in 3 sizes
Pools are available in three sizes – medium, large and extra large. If you’ve already got one of our pools we’d love to know how you’re getting on with it! Let us know in the comments section below.
Main pic by Luan Gracioli on Pexels