While summer can be a wonderful time to take in the sunshine, if we feel dehydrated or overheated, we can express that and head inside. That's not the case with our pets. They too face the season however, when not careful, the high summer temperatures can cause them a lot of grief, which they cannot express. For your pets to have an enjoyable, safe summer, make sure to add these seven tips to your life.
1. It's easy to get dehydrated in summer if your pets aren't drinking enough water. In addition to their regular bowl, keep another water bowl which cannot be tipped over and fill it with ice cubes in a shady spot. Your pets will enjoy lapping the cool ice and it will keep their body temperature down.
2. Avoid going for a walk between 10 am to 4 pm as that is when the sun is at its harshest. When stepping out early in the morning or late in the evening, touch the ground to see that the surface isn't too hot for your pet's paws.
3. On very hot days, it's ideal to keep your pet in an air-conditioned room. If that isn't possible, place a direct standing fan for them in a well-ventilated shady spot of the house.
4. Just as you enjoy ice cream on scorching days, your dog will enjoy a pupsicle. You heard that right - pupsicle. You can purchase such frozen eats from pet brands like Waggy Zone or even make your own by combining strawberry pulp, mashed bananas and milk to form a paste and freezing it in bite sizes. A perfect cold treat for hot days.
5. Never leave your pet alone in the car. No, not even with the windows down for 15 minutes. High temperatures in cars can cause heat stroke and illness in pets within a matter of minutes.
6. If your pet has thick fur, speak to your vet if it's appropriate to trim or cut it. For pets with thin fur or shaved coats, apply a pet friendly sunscreen when they will be out in direct sunlight for several hours at a stretch.
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7. If your pet is vomiting, panting heavily or has diarrhea, it could be the result of heat. In such cases, visit your vet for quick treatment.
