Summer Pet Safety

With summer just around the corner, you’re probably starting to plan all the fun activities you’ve been putting off until the weather is better. While you’re making a bucket list of items to cross off, don’t forget to add things you can do with your pets, too!

Fido and Fifi have been waiting all winter to get outside with you and play. Now that the temperatures are rising, activities like frisbee and fetch are in drooling distance!

But the hotter temps you’re looking forward to can be dangerous to your pets. They rely on you to know what’s best for them and to keep them safe from any possible dangers.

You probably already know the basics of pet safety, but with hot temperatures and busy schedules, it can’t hurt to be prepared early! These tips will guide you into the summer so you can enjoy the gorgeous weather while keeping your pets healthy and happy, too.

Hot Temperature Reminders

You’ve been looking forward to the hot weather, but when it comes to dogs, cats, and other common pets, they don’t mind cooler temps. The extra layer of fur keeps them snug in all but extreme cold - but it also makes them hot in warm weather. If you’re hot, they’re hotter.

Keep these tips in mind as the temperatures rise:

Don’t leave your pet in a car that is off. The temperature inside a car rises quickly. Even if you plan on running in for a minute or two, you don’t know how long you’ll actually be gone. What if an emergency happens and your pet is stuck in a hot car? Temperatures high enough to cause heatstroke can happen within minutes. Don’t take the chance.

Keep water accessible at all times. Just because you’re not thirsty doesn’t mean your pet isn’t. They can overheat fast with their heavy layers of fur. In the summer, the air is dryer, too. Change your pet’s water frequently to keep it cool and fresh and always make sure they have access to their water dish on demand.

Summer storms are common and dangerous to pets. Many pets are scared of loud noises like thunder. Some owners get upset with their scared animals and yell at them. This makes it worse. Instead, if it looks like a storm is on the horizon, keep your pet inside and shut the blinds and curtains. Make them feel safe and comforted. Even if they’re not scared, avoid taking them outside if there’s a possibility of lightning, too.

Be cautious about pavement. Your pet is always thrilled to go on walks with you, but that summer pavement can get scorching hot. If you wouldn’t walk on it barefoot, don’t make your pet do it with their sensitive paws. They still need and want the exercise. You can do this safely using a product like Walkee Paws to protect them from the hot pavement and any critters or glass that might be on it.

Play swimming by ear. You know your pet will love the water if they just get used to it, so it’s tempting to try to force them to swim. But this can be traumatizing for some pets. If they like to swim, great! If not, don’t make it a big deal. Pets that love to swim still need supervision and bathing after their frolicing time.

Food Safety Tips

It’s never a good idea to feed pets table scraps unless you know the food is healthy for them (healthy for you isn’t the same thing). Since warmer weather usually means more gatherings, like barbecues, your pets have a greater chance of snatching or snaring some random treats.

Those “yummy treats” you think you’re giving your dog may actually be poisonous to them. These tips will help you keep your pet safe at get-togethers and in daily life:

Dogs and cats don’t handle diet changes too well. Adding new foods to their palate can cause digestive issues. This is upsetting for your pet, and it’s not any fun for you, either.

Some foods are poisonous to most pets and should never be fed to them. The list includes, but isn’t limited to, things like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and fruit pits.

Anything with xylitol in it is also poisonous. Check the ingredients carefully before you feed your pet anything you’re not sure about. Xylitol is used as a sweetener in a lot of products today.

Pests and Your Pet

Summer is the time people swarm the outside, and it’s when the pests do, too. You should always be on guard for critters that could be harmful to your pets, but these tips are extra necessary during the warm weather:

Take your pet to the vet to check for heartworm. Dogs and cats are prone to heartworm disease, and it’s more predominant in warm weather. Insect bites are the most common mode of transmission. Pets can also get heartworm from another animal that was already infected. Heartworm preventatives can help.

Watch for fleas and ticks. Even if your pet is on flea and tick meds, all it takes is one or two for a day to cause a problem. These pests can spread parasites and cause anemia or other harmful diseases. Depending on your climate and geography, there may be specific pests you have to watch for. Your vet can help you decide what the best product is to ward off fleas, ticks, and other pests.

Be careful not to walk your dog on lawn that has just had pesticide applies

Use Common Sense and These Tips

Your pet’s safety is in your hands throughout the year, but each season brings its own hazards and dangers. Use common sense as best as possible to prevent injury or harm to your pet by following these tips.

In many cases, it’s as simple as leaving a fresh bowl of water out every day or throwing on some protective doggie leggings from Walkee Paws. Plan ahead for any outings you’ll be taking and make sure you’ve made them pet-friendly from start to finish. You and your pet will be glad you did!