Keeping it Cool for Your Pets this Summer

The heat is on! As your pets get ready to enjoy summertime, make sure you’re prepared to prevent heat exhaustion. Pets don’t sweat like humans with tons of sweat glands all over their bodies. Instead, they rely on thermoregulation (think panting). Use these tips as the temperatures rise to make sure your pets remain cool and healthy.

Avoid leaving them in hot places

Pets stuck in a car on a hot summer day can die in just minutes! Taking your dog on errands may seem like a fun opportunity for them to get out of the house with their best friend, but in warmer times of the year, it isn’t advised to leave them in the car.

It’s also important to keep air circulating in your home. Turning on fans can help if there isn’t air conditioning available and pet cooling mats are a great option for a warmer home as well. If you keep your blinds closed during the warmest parts of the day, this will keep your home from warming up quickly, but may ruin your cat’s favorite activity! Take a cardboard box to give them a new spot to relax and keep cool.

Schedule their activities in the morning or evening

Change up your walking schedule with a new season! Early-morning walks before work will wake you up and fit important exercise into the day before it gets too hot outside. If you and your pet aren’t early risers, try exercising a little later in the day when the sun is setting. Monitor play activities, indoors and outdoors, more closely when it is warm out, too. If your cat or dog needs to burn off some energy, ice cubes make a fun, slippery toy to chase on tile floors.

Give them frozen treats

Pets love a good treat! There are tons of new options available for frozen pet treats you can purchase or make at home. This is a fun option to reward your pet and help them cool off.

Keep them hydrated

This should be a basic care tip year-round, however, fresh water is a key element for preventing heat-related illnesses. Regularly change out the water and keep it in an easily accessible area of your home.

Always keep an eye on your pets if they are ever in a warm environment! If your pet is older, overweight, or has a flat face like pugs and bulldogs, it’s even more important to keep a close watch on their activities. If your dog is excessively panting, unable to move, drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea, consult with a vet immediately!