Summer is a time for having fun outdoors, barbecues, picnics, and then being able to cool off in a pool if you have one. But how do you keep your fur baby safe in the scorching weather? Even leaving your little fur baby alone at home when you’re away at work can be rather worrying. As a pet owner, you have an immense responsibility to ensure that your cat, dog, hamster, bunny, or any other type of pet is always comfortable and safe. While your fur baby can’t talk, there are signs that you can’t miss that will indicate how they feel.
As humans, we instinctively know how to cool off, and what to do when the weather gets unbearable. However, when it comes to our little fur babies, we need to keep a constant vigil. Be aware of symptoms of hyperthermia and dehydration and be prepared for any emergencies.
This article will provide hot weather safety tips for pets that will guide you on how to keep your fur baby happy. From getting your pet trained properly, letting them cool down on a special cooling mat, to protecting them from bugs. You want your summers to be enjoyable and memorable, and not spend time worrying about your furry friend.
1. Training
Getting a new pet trained should be a priority. Communication with them is made simpler by training them. It also ensures their safety and makes them more sociable around other animals and people. Did you know that you could also get cats trained besides getting dogs trained? Cats respond to positive reinforcement and training them requires patience and consistency. Teaching them a few basic commands can also ensure their safety and wellness.
Hire a certified local dog trainer to teach your pooch essential commands and good behavior. Teaching them to obey you will go a long way when it comes to staying out of harm’s way. If you own a pool, all the more reason to get your furball trained. Pool safety is important for adults, kids, and pets. Also, teach your furball not to lap up the water.
Consult the trainer and start training lessons as soon as your pooch is old enough. Having a pet is fun, but having a pet that also obeys your commands is awesome.
2. Enhance Your Outdoor Space
Having a backyard can be great fun for you and your pet. You can create a pet-friendly outdoor area with various landscaping products for your fur baby. One of the hot weather safety tips for pets that you must observe is having a shaded area where your pet can cool off. You can plant more trees, build a pergola, or install an awning for shade. Get a plastic kiddie pool so your pet can cool off in the heat, or you can have an attractive water feature such as a fountain.
Other landscaping products include creating a dog path made of pavers or gravel. Build a sandbox to prevent your furry friend from digging up holes in your lawn. You can also get a doghouse that matches your patio furniture. Invest in tunnels and balance beams to keep your dog stimulated.
Remove plants that are lethal to cats and dogs. Toxic plants for dogs are daffodils, lilies, hydrangeas, and tulips. Lilies, azaleas, sago palms, and spring bulbs are deadly to cats. However, plants like catnip are great for repelling fleas and are non-toxic to dogs.
There’s plenty that you can do with your outdoor space to make it an enjoyable area for the whole family, including your fur baby.
3. Pet Treats
Just like little kids that love ice cream on a sweltering day, pets will also love a cold treat to help them cool down. A couple of hot weather safety tips for pets is giving them frozen fruits and vegetables. Make sure you give them what’s suitable for them. Not all fruits and vegetables can be consumed by pets as some can be toxic. Also, consider the portion size. Thoroughly wash them, remove the pits and seeds, cut them up into small sizes, and freeze them.
Other hot weather safety tips for pets, such as dogs, are giving them ice cubes or even pupsicles. Pupsicles are special treats made of fruit and yogurt. To prevent choking, avoid giving large chunks.
Ensure your furry friend always has access to drinking water to prevent dehydration. Another great tip is getting a cooling mat for your pet. These provide a cool surface for them to lie on and will keep them comfortable in scorching weather.
4. Pest Control
Summer brings out pests such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas, which are not only annoying but harmful to your fur baby. Other pests include ants, bedbugs, and spiders. Hot weather safety tips for pets in this case are to keep pests away and call pest control if things get out of hand.
If you have a dog, bathe it as per the vet’s instructions, and inspect it for fleas and ticks. Ask your vet which products are used to prevent fleas and ticks. Keep the grass short and the surroundings clean. Wash your furball’s bedding regularly and keep their toys clean. Empty trash cans regularly and drain stagnant water as it can attract mosquitos. Vacuum your carpets frequently to remove any insects and their eggs that could be in there.
If you’re using a bug repellant, ensure it is pet-safe and non-toxic. You don’t want to end up repelling the bugs as well as your pet.
Mosquito control is essential as mosquitoes can be harmful to pets. They can spread heartworm disease, where worms grow in the heart and lungs, and cause severe damage. It can be fatal if left untreated. Mosquitoes can also cause other diseases and allergic reactions. Minimize your pet’s exposure, especially at dawn and dusk when these critters are most active. Consult your vet about pet-safe repellants.
Hire a pest exterminator if there are too many bugs that cannot be eliminated using DIY methods. It’s imperative to keep your furry friend safe.
5. Pet-Friendly Walkways
One of the other hot weather safety tips for pets is asphalt maintenance. If you have an asphalt walkway or driveway, regularly inspect it, and keep it maintained. Seal any cracks that appear to prevent your fur baby’s paws from getting injured. Use pet-friendly products and keep your pet away when maintenance is being carried out. Keep your surfaces smooth to ensure your pet’s paws are safe and to avoid discomfort from any injuries sustained.
Never walk your dog in peak heat. It will be too hot for you and your pooch. Also, the driveways and pavements can get too hot for their paws. Feel the ground with the back of your hand for half a minute. If it’s too hot for you, it’s not safe for your pet either.
It’s better to walk your dog in the early mornings and evenings when the temperatures are cooler, and the surfaces are safer to walk on. Remember to use a pet-friendly bug spray to prevent your pooch from being bitten by mosquitoes.
Keep your walkways maintained, not just for the sake of your pets, but to lengthen their lifespan and increase their durability.
6. Pool Safety
It’s great to have a pool to jump in and cool off on a scorcher of a day. But have you thought of keeping your pet safe from the pool? Not all pets are great swimmers. Hot weather safety tips for pets include installing a tall fence around the pool, even if you have a cover. Pool covers don’t offer protection and can give way if your pet ventures on it unsupervised.
You may also want to teach your pooch how to get out of the water using the steps or a ladder if they accidentally get in. See if swimming lessons for dogs are provided near you. Other hot weather safety tips for pets around a pool include installing a pool alarm. These will go off if they sense motion in the water. If you allow your pet to be in the water with you, you may want to get special pet life jackets as an added precaution.
Whether you have an inground pool or an above-ground pool, you still need to observe caution when it comes to your fur baby. If you don’t want your pet getting into your pool, place the plastic kiddie pool next to your pool, so your pet can also cool off whilst you’re enjoying your dip in the heat.
If your pet happens to drink chlorinated water, take it to the vet immediately. You might want to learn pet CPR and first aid in case of an emergency while you wait for vet assistance.
By following these tips, you can prevent any risks and fatalities around the pool, and ensure your pet is safe.
7. Lawn Care
When you have a pet, caring for your lawn requires some additional considerations that ensure your pet’s safety and welfare. Purchase pet-friendly lawn care products such as fertilizers and pesticides. Certain products can cause harm if ingested by your pet. These products can also irritate their eyes, nose, and skin.
Did you know that top soil can be harmful to your pets? Seemingly harmless, topsoil constitutes decomposing leaves, rocks, sticks, and chemicals from pesticides. Ingestion of topsoil can cause choking and internal irritation. Dogs are curious and can dig up topsoil, so you need to keep a watch on them.
If you need topsoil, get the organic type, and remove any large stones or debris to avoid choking hazards. Get your soil tested to ensure it contains no harmful contaminants that can be deadly to your fur ball.
In addition to lawn care, you may want to hire a tree company to get more trees planted to provide additional shade during the hot summer months. These trees should be pet friendly. The tree company will also assess the trees on your property and remove dead or decaying branches. They will also trim overhanging branches that are in danger of falling. The tree expert will also look out for any pests that could inhabit a tree.
Trees that can be deadly to pets may need to be removed safely. Certain trees, such as avocado trees, have fruits and seeds that are toxic to pets. Avocados, in large amounts, can cause diarrhea in dogs.
If you suspect your pet has ingested something they shouldn’t have, rush them to the vet immediately.
8. Warning Signs and Other Precautions
Hot weather safety tips for pets include being aware of and looking out for certain signs that indicate dehydration and heat strokes in your furry friend. Excessive panting in dogs, increased heart rate, shallow breaths, weakness, and lethargy are all signs that indicate your pet is in danger. Excessive drooling and even diarrhea that contains blood is a warning sign.
Never leave your pet in the car, even if you think you’ll be gone for a minute. One minute can turn into ten minutes and your pet’s health will be compromised.
Ask your vet before trimming your pooch’s fur. The fur prevents them from overheating and protects them from the sun’s rays. You could be doing more harm than good by cutting the fur.
In a Nutshell
This summer, make your fur baby’s safety and comfort a top priority by implementing these easy home projects. Modify their activities according to their breed, age, and specific requirements. Create a shaded area outdoors, hire a dog trainer, and keep a small pet pool to let them cool off. Delight your furball with cool treats. A lush lawn that’s pet friendly will be awesome to play in.
Keep an eye out for bugs that may bother you and your pet. Don’t leave them unattended for too long. Never leave them alone by the pool or their pet pool. Avoid car journeys in the heat, and do not leave them in the car.
With these hot weather safety tips for pets in place, you can have a great summer with your pet while knowing they are safe, secure, and content.