Let’s face it, our pets probably enjoy the air-conditioning as much as we do. When it heats up during the summer months, our furry loved ones are just as at risk of dehydration and heatstroke as the rest of us. Here are some hot weather tips to keep your pet cool.
For All Pets
Make sure they have plenty of fresh, clean water. Check your pet’s water bowl regularly and fill it up whenever it’s low.
Never, ever leave pets in a parked car, even with the windows cracked.
Hot Weather Tips For Dogs
- Offer an ice pack or wet towel to lay on.
- Add ice cubes to the water dish.
- Set up a hard plastic kiddie pool outside and fill with shallow, cool water.
- Create shade in the yard by stringing up a tarp between two trees.
- Take a collapsible water dish on your walks.
- Replace a portion of their regular diet with canned food.
- Avoid letting dogs walk on hot pavement — it can burn their feet. Consider booties to protect their pads and insulate their toes.Tip: To see if the pavement is too hot, hold the back of your hand to it for 7 seconds. If you struggle to keep it there, it’s too hot.
- Early morning or evening playtimes, exercise and walks are best. Be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing.
- Give your dog some homemade frozen treats. (see recipe below)
Signs of Heatstroke in Dogs
Symptoms of heatstroke in dogs include raised temperature (101.5° is normal), glazed eyes, rapid breathing and panting, excess salivation and thickened saliva, fatigue or depression, muscle tremors, a deep red or purple tongue and staggering.
Frozen Dog Treats
You’ll need silicone baking molds (bone or paw shapes are cute) or simply use ice cube trays.
Peanut Butter: Blend together 4 ounces of peanut butter, 3 ounces of water and 2 ounces of plain yogurt. Pour into molds and freeze. Try substituting pumpkin or sweet potatoes for peanut butter.
Blueberry: Whisk together 4 ounces of plain yogurt and 4 ounces of water, pour into molds until partly filled. Add blueberries and freeze. Try substituting blueberries with chopped green beans or apples. You can also blend the ingredients for a smoother consistency.
Note: If using peanut butter, make sure it doesn’t contain the sweetener xylitol, which is poisonous for dogs.
Hot Weather Tips For Cats:
- Ensure outdoor cats have a shaded spot — if there are no naturally occurring spots, create one by placing some cloth or cardboard over an area to keep the sun out.
- Brush your cat daily to prevent matted hair from trapping heat.
- Use damp towels to cool down your cat, gently stroking their heads and down their back.
- Keep your cat calm from running around too much on hot days, so it won’t become exhausted and dehydrated.
- Create a cool, indoor retreat. Place a cardboard box on its side, line it with a breathable fabric such as a cotton towel, and place it somewhere cool and quiet in the house.
- Put a few ice cubes on the floor so they can chase them as they scatter around the floor. Tip: Flavor water with a little chicken stock before freezing.
- Close the curtains or blinds to keep the sun out.
Signs of Heatstroke in Cats
Symptoms of heatstroke in cats can include agitation, stretching out and breathing rapidly, extreme distress, skin hot to the touch, glazed eyes, vomiting and drooling.
If you’re at all worried about your pet, contact your vet immediately.
Summer Gear for Your Pets
Green Pet Shop Self-Cooling Pet Pad
This pad is weight-activated, so it knows when to start the cooling process. Available at Chewy.com.
K9 Chill Dog Cool Collar
Moisten with water and this collar will keep your dog cool for hours. Available at Amazon.
TRIXIE’s Splash Pool
Use for a pool, bathtub or cooling spot. Folds flat. Available at Walmart.
Musher’s Secret Paw Protection Balm
Vitamin E-infused moisturizer for paw pads heals wounds and acts as a barrier against heat/snow/ice. Available at Walmart.
SwimWays Paddle Paws Dog Pool Float
Pet-friendly float lets your dog float by your side in the pool. Available at Walmart.
RUFFWEAR Grip Trex
Durable shoes to take your dog hiking can also be used to protect their paws from hot pavement. Available at Amazon.