When the summer heat rises, it’s important to consider animals’ safety. Higher temperatures can be dangerous for your pets in many ways, so you should find ways to keep them cool.
Depending on their age, weight, breed, and other health factors, some dogs can handle heat better than others. You should consider these things when deciding how to keep your pet safe in hot weather.
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Summer Safety Tips for Animals
Staying Cool Outside
When it’s hot outside, dogs should always have shade and a bowl of clean water nearby. If your dog’s fur is long, thick, or matted, you might want to take it to a groomer.
Don’t make your dog work out when it’s really hot out. Take a day off, move your plans to when it’s cooler, or think about going for a swim instead of a jog. When a dog gets too hot and needs a break, it will slow down, look for places in the shade to rest, and pant a lot.
In-Home Animal Safety
As the heat gets worse, even inside, it can get too hot to be comfortable. The most important thing you can do to keep your pets safe indoors and out during the summer is to give them plenty of clean, fresh water. The next thing to think about is the air temperature.
Some homes are well insulated, so they don’t get much hotter as the day gets warmer. Most, though, need active cooling. Dogs and cats can handle temperatures slightly warmer than most people can stand. But you might notice that they sleep in the coolest place in the house. Dogs like to lie on tile floors, and cats might sleep under the bed or in a closet.
If your pet stays home all day, you shouldn’t set your air conditioner to over 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Or, if you don’t have air conditioning, close the blinds and leave the fans on.
The safest choice is ceiling fans since curious pets can get hurt by fan blades and electrical cords. Floor fans should never be left alone with kittens or puppies. They can be kept safe in a large wire crate with a floor fan outside where they can’t reach it but can still feel its cooling effect. Don’t point the fan at the crate if this is the case. Instead, move the air around the room.
Read More: 8 Best Pet Care Tips for Dogs in 2023
Dog Cooling Vests and Mats
There are also now cooling products made just for dogs. Some must be mixed with water or kept in the fridge before giving them to your dog. The best ones, though, are the ones that require the least planning, so you can always be ready to keep your dog cool.
Evaporation cools the air, which is how cooling vests for dogs work. Sweating is a natural way to cool off by evaporation, but dogs can only stay cool by “sweating” through their paws and noses and by panting. Dog cooling vests can help with this. Some, like the TechNiche cooling coat, work by soaking the vest in water, wringing it out, and putting it on. Letting water evaporate, they help keep your dog cool during the day. Some coats, like the Ultra Paws Cool Coat, have dehydrated ice packs tucked into the side pockets to keep the dog cool.
Dog cooling vests aren’t a replacement for water, shade, and breaks from activity, but they may help your dog feel better for longer. As with any dog clothing, getting the right size is important to ensure enough contact and less friction, which can cause sores.
Dogs can also get cooling mats, usually made of a material that stays cool and gets cooler when pressed, so they don’t need electricity. But many reviews complain about how durable and long-lasting the mat is, so it’s best to research before choosing the right mat for your dog.
Vests and dog mats with frozen inserts might be cooler initially, but you can’t put them in the pool or lake to cool them off in the afternoon. Make sure you don’t put these inserts on your dog’s skin.
Keeping Pets Cool in the Car
Pets can be great companions on road trips, but you must plan.
Bring a water bowl with you to fill up at each stop. You can also bring dog cooling mats in the car, which may help keep your dog a little cooler. But leaving cooling mats in the car in the sun is not a good idea.
Not all cars have good airflow to the back seat or seat wells, where your pet might be while you drive. If the vents can’t be moved, you can use hoses to ensure your pet gets their fair share of the cool air. And never, ever, ever leave your dog in the car alone on a hot day. Even if it’s not hot outside and you park in the shade and leave the windows open, the temperature inside can quickly reach dangerous levels.
Plan and think about how your dog will feel in the heat. Summer is a great time to go on adventures with your dog, so go out and stay safe!