Summer is here. That means it’s time for nice weather and high temperatures. That’s great, but at this time of year, we need to take care of our pets a little differently than usual. Here’s how to best take care of your four-legged friends in the heat.
Make sure they stay well hydrated
Just like people, animals need extra water when it’s hot. Especially during the summer, it’s important to check that they have enough water to drink. Our pets need water to regulate their body temperature. If they don’t drink enough, they can become overheated. Observe your pet carefully to see if they’re drinking enough. To encourage your pet to drink more, you can add more wet food to their diet or purchase a water fountain. The running water can be inviting to your pet and make them drink more.
Give them the opportunity to cool down
When it gets really hot in the summer, it is essential that your pet has a place in the house where they can go to cool down. This could be a sheltered spot in the garden. For indoors, you can place a damp towel on the floor or use a fan to keep the air cool. You can also include frozen treats in their diet to help them cool down.
Learn the signs of overheating
When an animal’s body temperature rises too high, it can have trouble getting it down again. This situation can escalate quickly, so you want to prevent it. For this reason, recognizing the signs is very important. Animals that are overheating will breathe heavily and/or drool. Their heart rate will also increase. So keep a close eye on your animal when they are in very hot places and, for example, do not leave them alone in the car in the summer. This can have fatal consequences.
Protect their paws
In the summer, the ground can get really hot. We don’t want to go outside barefoot either. If we let our pets walk on a hot surface, their paw pads can burn. This is painful and can cause blisters and infections. So, it’s best to only let your pet walk on stone or asphalt in the morning or evening, when it’s cooler. Before you go outside, feel how hot the ground is with your hand. If it hurts your hand, it’s also painful for their paws. If it’s really not possible to avoid the heat, invest in protective shoes.
Come up with fun summer activities for your pet
Summer is and will always be a fun time of year for you and your pet. Plan fun water activities with animals that enjoy this (dogs). For other pets, you can look for cool toys or special snacks that provide cooling.
