With summer temperatures reaching as high as 40+ Degrees in some states, it’s not just us humans who need to stay cool. Pet owners also need to think about keeping their furry friends comfortable as temperatures rise – most animals don’t have sweat glands, which makes it twice as difficult for them to regulate their body temperature.
So in this article, we are going to look at seven ways pet owners can help to keep their pets cool in the heat of the summer.
⛱️ Provide Shade
It sounds obvious, but when it gets hot, many cats and dogs will want to be outside.
But you should avoid letting them outside between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you do let them out, make sure you provide plenty of shaded areas where they can find some respite from the heat.
💧 Provide Plenty Of Water
All animals should be provided with plenty of fresh water at all times of the year. But this is particularly important during the summer months.
Fresh cool water will help your pets cool down from the inside. So don’t let water stagnate in the bowl. Keep it topped up with fresh water from the tap. Make sure the bowl or bucket is kept out of the sun to avoid it heating up.
☀️ Apply Pet-Safe Sunscreen
Dogs and cats get sunburn too. So it’s a good idea to cover any sensitive areas such as their nose and ears with sunscreen. Any pale or light-coloured skin should also be protected with regular applications of sunscreen.
Be careful to use pet-friendly sunscreen though! Some regular sunscreens contain ingredients which are toxic if ingested.
🏠 Ensure Rooms Are Well Ventilated
If your pet is kept inside, make sure your home is well ventilated. You should try to keep windows and doors open to let a cool breeze circulate.
On really hot days, it’s a good idea to close the curtains to keep the worst of the sun’s heat out.
🐕 Take Evening Walks
On hot days you should avoid taking your dog for a walk between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is the hottest time of the day and some dogs, particularly older ones or those with underlying health conditions, may suffer heatstroke.
So take your dog for a walk in the evening if possible.
As a quick reference, if it’s uncomfortable for you to keep your palm on the sidewalk for at least 10 seconds, it’s too hot on their paws.
❄️ Use A Cooling Mist Spray
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, it can be impossible to keep your pet cool. One trick is to use a mist spray to gently spritz over their nose when they get hot.
For cats and dogs, placing their paws in cold water will also help them to reduce their body temperature.
🍏 🥕 Feed Small Animals Plenty Of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables
Small animals can feel the heat too. Aside from making sure they have plenty of water, providing them with a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables each day can really help them to regulate their body temperature.
Make sure you ensure the fruit/vegetable is safe for your pet first!
Keeping your pet cool is mostly just common sense, half the battle is recognising that pets can’t regulate their body temperature as well as humans can.
So if you are feeling the heat, your pet is too. The above tips will help to keep your pets cool but you should also carefully monitor them for signs of heatstroke during really hot weather.