Top Tips For Looking After Your Furbaby During Summer
To prevent some common hot-weather and warm-weather hazards from raining on your pet’s parade, our vets suggest following these summer safety tips.
1. Hydration and Shade
Always ensure your dog has access to fresh, clean water and a shaded, cool area to rest. Whether inside or outside, provide a space where they can stay comfortable and safe from the heat. This includes outings! Bring portable bowls and fresh water to keep your fur baby hydrated.
- Put out an extra bowl in case one gets knocked over.
- Pop in some ice cubes to keep the water chilled.
2. Avoid Hot Pavement – Consider Their Paws and Heat Risk
We see far too many dogs walking during peak temperatures, risking their paws and their health. Use the back of your hand to test the ground before any outdoor activity. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them! Avoid walking during peak heat and skip the walk if needed. Consider cooler times like early morning or late evening.
3. Know the Signs of Heatstroke
Heatstroke happens when a dog’s body cannot cool down fast enough to regulate their temperature, often due to excessive heat exposure or physical exertion. When temperatures rise or exercise becomes too intense, they can quickly overheat. Excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, bright red gums, uncoordinated movements, or even collapse.
If you suspect heatstroke, move your dog to a cool, shaded area. Use a damp towel to cool their body, focusing on areas like their neck, armpits, and belly. Contact your vet immediately, as heatstroke can escalate rapidly and become life-threatening. Read more about Pet Heat Stroke and Heat Stress.
4. Monitor Playtime – Don’t Overdo It!
Tenacious pooches often don’t know when enough is enough! Be their advocate by supervising their play and minimising the risk of overexertion. Keep play sessions short, avoid the hottest parts of the day, and ensure they take breaks to cool off.
5. Beach safety
Summer means beach days, but more people and more dogs can mean less control over the environment. Crowded beaches increase the risk of altercations, as unpredictable behaviours from other dogs can lead to serious incidents. Even if your dog is social and well-behaved, they need your advocacy to stay safe.
Consider quieter spots to minimise stress and ensure a positive, safe experience for everyone. Stay alert and proactive to protect your pup! Dogs can get saltwater poisoning from drinking too much seawater. Symptoms are vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and neurologic signs, which can be very serious and progress to seizures!
6. Fur babies and Hot Cars
Never leave your pet in the car even on a mild day as the internal temperature of a car can become like an oven in minutes.
It can take just 6 minutes for an animal to die in a hot car so don’t risk it! Temperatures in a car can reach more than double the outside temp even on mild days, and even if you park in the shade or leave windows open. Dogs can also overheat when left on the back of a ute, including burning their feet or other body parts on the ute tray.
7. Exercise ONLY in the Cool
Never exercise your pet in the heat of the day and skip exercise altogether on extremely hot days.
- Only exercise your pet in the cooler early morning and evening, and keep exercise light. Stick to shaded areas, avoid hot sand, concrete, asphalt areas or areas where heat is reflected.
- Check if the ground is too hot by placing the back of your hand on the surface for five seconds and if it’s too hot for you, then it’s too hot for your dog!
- Stop walks / exercising if you notice your pet are panting heavily.
8. A/C Is Not Just for Fur Parents
On hot (over 28°C) or very humid days, keep your pet indoors with a fan or air-conditioning (especially important for at-risk pets).
- Provide access to shade in a well-ventilated area
- Set up a clam shell pool (it only needs to be deep enough to wet their paws and belly)
- Create a pupsicle or use a Kong (here’s some ideas)
9. Clip Clip Clip
If your pet has a thick coat, consider a full summer clip to help them stay cool.
Together, let’s keep our pets safe this summer – and all year around.
