Summer safety tips for cats and dogs

By Kristia Goodnight

Summer is a fun and exciting season for both humans and our companions. However, it's important to remember that summer comes with safety hazards for our pets: heat exhaustion, heatstroke, burns, pests, and even fireworks are common risks that pets face during the summer months. As a responsible pet owner, it's important to take precautions to keep your pets safe and healthy.

Keep your pet hydrated

One of the most crucial things you can do to protect your pets from the heat is to keep them well-hydrated. Providing plenty of fresh, clean water is essential at any time of year but is crucial in the hot summer months.

Consider adding ice cubes to your pet’s water bowl to keep the water cool which will encourage them to drink more. Keep the water dish clean, don’t just rinse it out. You can also experiment with different types of water bowls and even make frozen dog-safe popsicles. Cats instinctively prefer running water, consider a water fountain to increase your cats' interest.

If your pet becomes dehydrated, take action. Provide your pet with small amounts of water to drink every few minutes or offer them pieces of ice to lick. Call your veterinarian to discuss your pet’s symptoms and follow their advice.

Keep your pet cool

Keeping your pet cool in the summer is a top priority to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Pets cannot tolerate heat as well as humans do. By taking simple steps you can keep your pet cool even on the hottest days of summer:

Never leave your pet in a parked car, ever. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, that’s all it takes for an enclosed vehicle to turn deadly. Even on a mild day, a car acts as a solar oven with temperatures climbing exponentially to dangerous degrees.
Keep your pet inside in air conditioning if possible. If you don't have AC, consider using fans or opening windows to create a cross-breeze. Your pet will still benefit from the shade of your home. If your pet spends time outside, give them a way to find shade at all times of day.
More recently, cooling products have grown popular - especially for dogs. From cooling mats, vests, and even bandanas. Many dogs love cooling mats as they can choose when to utilize the cooling properties.
Don’t shave your pets. While many people may think that removing the fluff from their pets will help keep them cool, often it has the opposite effect. Cat’s and dog’s fur isn’t like human hair.
Your pet's coat is naturally able to help cool in the summer and warm in the winter. By shaving your pet, you usually interfere with this built-in temperature regulation. Brushing your pet regularly will help remove loose fur, which will keep their body temperature regulated.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke in pets

The dog days of summer can be dangerous for our pets. Older, overweight, or flat-faced pets like Pugs and Persian cats are more susceptible to heat stroke. Know the common signs that your cat or dog is becoming too hot, and know what to do if you think your pet is too hot.

Protect your pet's paws

While we may be flaunting our new summer sandals, our pets are barefoot. Asphalt, pavement, sand, artificial grass, and even bare dirt can reach temperatures that can burn and blister paw pads. While puppies are more sensitive, all pets' paws should be protected against the pain and burn risk of hot surfaces.

According to the AKC, “If the temperature is 85 degrees or hotter without the chance for the pavement to cool down, the ground may be too hot for safely walking a dog.” In fact, when the air temperature is 86 degrees, the asphalt temperature can exceed 140 degrees.

To test ground heat levels, place your hand or bare foot on the pavement or other surface firmly for 10 seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog's paws. Beat the heat by walking your dog in the early morning before it’s too hot, walking your dog in grassy areas, or purchasing dog booties to protect your pup's paws.

With our Lifetime Protection Membership, you can talk with veterinary professionals about summer safety tips or other health questions through the 24/7 Vet Helpline provided by whiskerDocs.

What temperature is too hot for dogs to walk in summer?

Most veterinarians agree that temperatures up to 68 F are safe for most dogs, while temperatures over 77 F are risky for developing heatstroke. While temperature is key, also keep humidity and airflow levels in mind when deciding if it’s too hot for your pets or not. Know your dog and your dog’s breed limits. Dogs with health issues, large, obese, flat-faced, or very young dogs are all at a higher risk of heat-related conditions.

Prevent summer pests

Just like in the spring season, parasites are thriving in the warm weather. Fleas, ticks, and other parasites can cause anemia, Lyme disease and more. Heartworms can even cause organ damage, and if untreated even lead to death.

Talk with your veterinarian about the best preventative medications for your pet and take extra care to protect your pets from fleas and ticks and other parasites during the warmer months. Prioritize regular brushing and grooming to check for pests and to remove the elements from your pet's coat.

Travel safely with your pet

Traveling with your pet is wonderful for many reasons, but also creates more opportunities for them to become lost. Double-check that your pets' tags are up to date. An accurate pet ID tag and microchipping is an easy way to keep your pets safe from the many risks of becoming lost.

Add checking your pet’s microchip registration info to your pre-trip to-do list, and protect new pets with a Pet Protection Membership. Whether they are riding along on a road trip, stowing away as your flight carry-on, or have their train ticket ready, you’ll want to prepare your pet for travel.

Help your pet swim safely

If your pet is the boating type or has more of a float-in-the-pool vibe, you can keep them safe in the water this summer.

Never leave your pet unattended in the water. Even the best swimmer should be always monitored closely.
Many dogs benefit from a life jacket, especially smaller dogs and those new to the water
If your dog has short or light fur, they may need dog sunscreen. Even fluffy dark dogs can benefit from a swipe of sunscreen on their snout. Use only pet-safe sunscreen to prevent poisoning.
Try to limit your dog in drinking of salt water and pool water as both can cause digestive distress. Keeping fresh and cold water available to your dog will help deter them from less savory drinking options.
Keep your pet's ears dry after swimming (especially floppy ears) to prevent ear infections.
After swimming, rinse your dog off thoroughly with clean water to rid their coat of any saltwater, pool chemicals, algae from the lake, or other hazards.
Not all dogs enjoy swimming or know how to swim instinctively. Introduce water slowly and respect your dog's limits.
Swimming is an intensive activity for dogs, give your dog a shady and calm spot to rest.

4th of July and fireworks pet safety tips

Fourth of July Fireworks are a favorite summer tradition for many people, but it’s terrifying and even dangerous for many animals. In fact, more pets go missing during the July 4th weekend than at any other time of the year.

Pets are often extremely scared of the loud booming fireworks and firework debris can be harmful and even toxic for curious pets. Take steps to prepare your pets for the 4^th of July:

Leave your pets at home, inside, during celebrations
Give your pet a calm, safe space to hide if they are afraid
Update your pets tags and microchip information in case they make a run for it
Be prepared if your pet does escape your home or yard and becomes lost
Check your yard thoroughly for any firework debris once the holiday has ended - even if you didn’t use fireworks yourself

Garden and yard safety

Just like you, your pets are likely spending more time outside during the warm months of summer. Take steps now to pet-proof your yard:

Store lawn fertilizer and insecticides out of reach of your pets.
Always follow safety instructions on lawn and garden products, particularly the instructions on how long you should keep pets out of the treated areas.
Ensure your pet cannot access any pet-toxic plants in your yard or on your porch
If you use a lawn service, choose a pet-friendly provider

If you suspect that your pet could have gotten into something toxic don't wait. Contact a veterinarian immediately. You can contact ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) 24/7 any day of the year. Or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661), available 24/7/365.

Prepare for summer safety for your pets

Always prioritize your pet's health and safety during hot weather and summer activities. Accidents can happen. Make sure your emergency and primary veterinarian’s phone numbers are saved in your phone now so you can be prepared. Other ways you can plan ahead for your pets are a pet first aid kit and pet health insurance.

With our Lifetime Protection Membership, you can protect your pet against becoming lost this summer, and access veterinary professionals anytime by phone, email, or live chat to discuss questions on pests or pet health and so much more.

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