18 Summer Safety Tips For Pet Owners

You're packing your pet’s favorite toys and picking great places to play. While you’re preparing for summer fun, it's also important to think about heat safety. Have fun and stay safe with your pet with these tips.

Prevent Your Pet from Overheating

1. Overheating in Cars

We hear about the dangers of hot cars every summer. However, it’s important to remember just how hot cars can get. They rise to extreme temperatures in a few minutes. Pets don’t have sweat glands like we do, so they overheat faster than humans. Any car’s cooling system can malfunction, especially in the summer. You need to be in the car with your pet to ensure they are safe. Only take your pet on a trip by car if you can take them out wherever you go.

2. Overheating in Your Home

Pets should be kept inside during extreme temperatures, except to use the bathroom or exercise. Temperatures can rise to dangerous levels inside the home as well. Set your thermostat to a cool temperature. Also, make sure your pet has access to a fan and plenty of cool water. This will keep your pet cool when you’re not home to play.

3. Playtime in the Heat

Playing in hot weather can easily make your pet too hot. So, you need to limit how much you play and exercise with your pet. Take rest breaks in between play sessions. This will keep your pet from getting tired and overheating.

4. Lots of Water

Pets need to stay hydrated. This is how their bodies cool. If you’re going somewhere without access to water, make sure you bring enough for you and your pet. Water is your first defense against heat stroke, so be sure to have plenty on hand.

5. Frozen Treats and Toys

Pets love this one. Choose some of your pet’s favorite treats, cover them with water and freeze them. This makes a delicious ice treat your pet will love. It's a delicious way for your pet to enjoy the weather while staying cool. You can also use fun frozen toys. These let your pets have fun while they cool off.

6. Pets with Health Problems

If your pet is already sick or has a health problem, be careful in the heat. Health problems make it hard for pets to deal with the heat. So, be careful playing with them and walking them. You may need to avoid playing with some pets in the sun. Ask your vet about safe ways to play.

7. Nearest Veterinary Hospital

It’s fun to go to new places to play with your pets. If you’re going to be far from your normal vet, check the destination. You need to know where the emergency clinic is and any other vet’s location near the destination. Knowing this ahead of time helps you deal with emergencies faster.

Treat Overheating Before It Gets Dangerous

8. Find Somewhere Cool

Get your pet to a cool location to lower your pet’s temperature. Take your pet to a cool shady area to give your pet a place to cool down. Your pet can get cool in an air-conditioned car as long as you’re there with them. You can always take them indoors to a nearby pet-friendly location. Find somewhere cool so your pet can rest.

9. Portable Fans

Portable fans can help bring your pet’s temperature down. These fans are battery operated and come with a variety of features based on your budget. They could be loud or quiet. Before you take one with you, make sure you get your pet used to the fan at home first. The fan may startle your pet in the beginning. So, only take the fan when your pet gets used to it. Combine these fans with the shade to make it easier to cool your pet.

10. Water

As previously mentioned, keeping your pet hydrated is the first defence for overheating. If your pet is already overheated, give them lukewarm water. Cold water can cause a shock to their system. Additionally, keep them from over drinking the water. Let them drink some, and then pull them back for a rest. Repeat this process until your pet’s overheating subsides.

Overheating Symptoms

11. Excessive Panting

Panting is a method to lower temperature for pets. Watch for more panting than normal for your pet. You need to cool them down quickly.

12. Hyperventilation

As with excessive panting, hyperventilation is a major sign that your pet is in trouble. Once again, you need to cool your pet immediately.

13. Weakness

If your pet can barely walk, things are getting dangerous. Get your pet somewhere cool. Calling the 24-hour vet hospital now may save your pet.

Emergency Symptoms

14. Confusion

If your pet looks listless, walks into walls, and tripping where it would normally walk, it’s an emergency. Let them know you’re bringing your pet in for possible heatstroke. This is one of the first signs of heatstroke, a condition with severe damage. Heatstroke can also lead to death.

15. Increased salivation

Some pets salivate all the time. If you see more than normal or constant salivating, your pet needs medical attention. It’s important to keep your pet cool on the way.

16. Dry Mouth

On the other hand, your pet may have an incredibly dry mouth. This may be a sign of heatstroke and severe dehydration. Get to a vet as soon as possible to treat your pet.

17. Severe Digestive Problems

Your pet may constantly vomit or have bloody diarrhea. These are life and death symptoms. Your pet is in a crisis. Take your pet to the vet hospital now.

18. Unusual Behavior

All pets get excited in a new location. If your pet is acting unusually odd, take them to a vet.

Do you have any pet summer safety tips or questions? Leave them in the comments and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Burlingtina Vines, Guest Writer

Burlingtina Vines is a lifelong pet owner and pet sitter. She’s also a freelance writer. Burlingtina has had fish, dogs, and rabbits as family members. She’s also taken care of all of the above, lizards, cats, and hamsters.

To learn more about her freelance writing click here.

Burlingtina can also be contacted regarding her writing services via her Simbi profile.