Proper Summer Care for Your Pets
As summer temperatures rise, it's essential to keep your furry friends happy and comfortable. Understanding the best way to care for your pets over the summer months is essential, as they're particularly vulnerable to hearing and often clever at hiding signs of distress. Dehydration and heatstroke can be very dangerous for pets, so a solid summer care plan is important to protect their well-being in the heat. Let's take a look at our top pet care tips for summer heat. --altImgStart--{"link":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/20139249/pexels-photo-20139249/free-photo-of-black-and-white-dog-relaxing-on-grass-in-summer.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=1260&h=750&dpr=1","alt":"Black and White Dog relaxing on grass in summer"}--altImgEnd--
The Main Summer Risks for Pet Wellbeing
Heatstroke
As pets can't sweat effectively like humans, they are more prone to heatstroke and heat-related medical emergencies. Dogs, for example, keep cool by panting to regulate body temperature. Heatstroke can kill, so knowing the right steps for proper pet care is essential for keeping your pets happy and healthy.
Heatstroke warning signs like excessive panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, and collapse should all be alerts to get your pet out of the heat, and hydrated, and to seek veterinary care urgently.
Sunburn
Strong sun, hot pavements, or other heat-absorbent surfaces can all be a threat to your pet's well-being during the summer months. Pets with light-colored or thin coats can be prone to sunburn or skin damage, whilst paw pads can easily burn on hot walking surfaces.
Parasites and Pests
Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes all thrive in the heat of summer months, posing health risks to your pets through bites, infection, and the transmission of diseases.
Proper Summer Pet Care to Keep Your Pets Cool
Once you know the main dangers for your pets over the summer months, you can start to understand the best ways to care for them to keep them happy and well. Providing shade, ample hydration, and regular grooming, are some of the main care points. Let's take a deeper dive.
Provide Ample Water and Shade
Keeping your pets cool and hydrated is essential for summer care. Make sure they have access to fresh, clean water throughout the day, and have plenty of shaded areas to escape the sun, both inside and outside. Avoiding midday heat for walks or exercise can also prevent overheating and sunburn for your pets.
Protect Paws
Intense heat can lead to hot surfaces which can quickly burn your pet's paws. Hot pavement, sand, or other heat-absorbing surfaces can be dangerous for pets - if the ground is too hot to touch with your bare hand, it's too hot for your pet's paws.
Maintain Your Grooming
Regular brushing and grooming can help remove excess fur and prevent fur mats that can trap heat unnecessarily, whilst cutting long fur shorter in the summer months can help your pets stay cool in the summer heat.
Practice Sun Protection
One of the best steps to appropriate summer care for your pets is to use regular sunscreen! Use pet-safe sunscreen as you would on your skin, focusing on more vulnerable, exposed areas on your pet like the nose, ears, and belly. --altImgStart--{"link":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/16168093/pexels-photo-16168093/free-photo-of-dogs-wearing-bandanas-in-meadow.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&w=1260&h=750&dpr=1","alt":"dogs wearing bandanas in meadow"}--altImgEnd--
Prevent Pests
Protecting your pet from fleas, ticks, and other pests is essential in the summer heat. Medication can help prevent fleas, ticks, and mosquitos, alongside regular checks of your pets to ensure no sneaky passengers in their fur!
Proper After-Sun Care
Your pets need proper care after sun exposure, as well as during. Moisturizing your pets with pet-safe products can help areas that appear dry or irritated, whilst a soothing cool water bath can also help care for the skin after summer sun exposure.
Keep an Eye on Behaviour Changes
Behavior changes can be one of the surest ways to monitor ill health or heat exhaustion in your pets; if you notice their behavior or appetite has changed, it may be time for a vet visit to check their health and wellbeing as it should be.
Summer Care and Sun Protection for Your Pets
Taking good care of your pets during summer is easy once you know what to do, and what to look out for. By providing adequate hydration, protection from the sun, and keeping an eye on their health, you can ensure that your pets enjoy a safe and happy summer. Remember, a little extra care goes a long way in preventing the dangers that hot weather can pose to your beloved companions. Stay cool and enjoy the summer with your furry friends!
