Summer means you need to beat the heat, and so do your little furry friends! There are many different ways to cool down your pets, depending on what kind of pet you have. Some dogs prefer ice baths, some animals don’t care bout the heat either way. Here’s our guide to hot weather pet safety.

”Animals have come to mean so much in our lives. We live in a fragmented and disconnected culture. Politics are ugly, religion is struggling, technology is stressful, and the economy is unfortunate. What's one thing that we have in our lives that we can depend on? A dog or a cat loving us unconditionally, every day, very faithfully.” - Jon Katz

Don’t Shave Your Double-Coated Dogs!

Do not shave you husky or long haired dog!
Keep your pets cool during the summer months. Source: Furry Babies

It might seem to make sense that in the summer you can just shave a dog down to keep them cool. After all, it works with humans, doesn’t it? But unfortunately, if you have a dog with double-coated fur this will harm them far more than help them.

Here’s why:

Breeds with double-coats have a “long” fur and a “short” fur coat. The short fur sheds in the summertime, which would’ve otherwise made them warmer. That leaves only the long coat, which protects your dog from the sun. So your pets in hot weather already have a built-in safety measure. Some dog breeds that you should never, ever shave include:

  • Siberian Huskies
  • Border Collies
  • Golden Retrievers
  • Newfoundlands
  • Bernese Mountain Dogs
  • Aussie Shepherds
  • Samoyed Dogs
  • Alaskan Malamutes
  • Shetland Sheepdogs

Hydrate!

Have extra, extra water available for your pets. This is the number one rule when it comes to summer pet safety. Fill up their water dish with fresh, cool water frequently. This will help your animals stay healthy and safe during any heat waves. And it’s just a good habit to get into when caring for your pets.

Know the Symptoms of Overheating

Keep an eye out for excessive panting
Keep your pooch hydrated. Source: Rover

You probably already know that dogs sweat through their tongue. What you may not know is that certain breeds with flatter faces like pugs actually have a more difficult time doing so, and are therefore more susceptible to heatstroke. So it’s very important to know what the symptoms of heatstroke are in pets. When it comes to hot weather pet safety tips, here’s what to look out for.

In Dogs

  1. Excessive drooling
  2. Labored breathing
  3. Increased heart rate
  4. Increased respiratory rate
  5. Mild lethargy
  6. Seizures
  7. Bloody diarrhea
  8. Vomiting

In Cats

  1. Rapid panting
  2. Unsteady walking
  3. Bright red tongue
  4. Discolored gums
  5. Drooling
  6. Weakness
  7. Muscle tremors
  8. Dizziness
  9. Lethargy

Cold Treats

This simple tactic is one of the easiest and most effective summer tips for pet owners. You can just give your pet frozen treats to help them cool down. A frozen watermelon for cats, frozen peanut butter for dogs, heck, even frozen corn for chickens will make a cool difference. Ice cream works wonders too, just be sure not to feed chocolate to your dog.

Other Tips

Be cautious when playing with your dogs in the heat
Dogs can have fun in the sun too. Source: The Labrador

And of course, there are always other little things that you can do to help keep your pets cool. The best ways to go about helping your pet are usually just the most subtle. Here’s just a few hot weather tips for pets.

  • Go for a walk in the evening
  • Avoid asphalt
  • Use canned food
  • Keep them in the shade
  • Make a small pool of water
  • Add ice cubes to their water dish
  • Allow them to lay on a wet towel or ice pack

Want to keep your pets cool this summer? Looking for more ideas on how to do that? Get online tips with our Facebook.

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