We all enjoy spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with our furry companions, but it’s important to remember that summer comes with its own set of hazards. To ensure you’re prepared for whatever hot weather comes your way this summer, here are some useful summer safety tips for dogs:

 

1. Early-Summer Vet Visit: Schedule a vet checkup for your pets at the start of summer. Ensure they are tested for heartworm if they aren’t on year-round preventative medication.
2. Hydration and Shade: Provide plenty of fresh, clean water, especially during hot or humid weather, as pets can quickly become dehydrated. Ensure they have a shady spot to escape the sun, avoid over-exercising them, and keep them indoors during extreme heat.
3. Overheating Symptoms: Recognize signs of overheating in pets, such as excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, drooling, weakness, stupor, or collapse. Other symptoms include seizures, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and a body temperature over 104 degrees.
4. No Parked Cars: Never leave pets alone in a parked vehicle. It can lead to fatal heat stroke and is illegal in several states.
5. Special Care for Flat-Faced Pets: Pets with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more prone to heat stroke as they cannot pant effectively. Keep them, as well as elderly, overweight, and pets with heart or lung diseases, in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
6. Pool Safety: Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool. If spending time near water, provide fresh water for your pet and prevent them from drinking pool, ocean, or lake water. Introduce them to water gradually, use flotation devices when on boats, and rinse off chlorine or salt after swimming.
7. Window Safety: Keep unscreened windows and doors closed, and ensure adjustable screens are secure. Open windows pose a risk of falls for pets.
8. Coat Care: Trim your dog’s longer hair but avoid shaving. Dogs’ coats protect them from overheating and sunburn. Brush cats more frequently to help them manage heat. Use only pet-specific sunscreen and insect repellent.
9. Hot Surfaces: Avoid letting dogs linger on hot asphalt as it can quickly heat their bodies and burn their paw pads. Limit walks during high temperatures.
10. Herbicides and Insecticides: Use caution with yard chemicals. Keep pets away from treated areas until they are dry or properly watered. Store fertilizers out of reach, as they can cause stomach upset. Keep citronella candles, tiki torches, and insect coils away from pets.
11. Garden Plants: Be mindful of what you plant in your garden. Identify potentially harmful plants and monitor pets outdoors, as even non-toxic plants can cause stomach upset if ingested.
12. Food and Drink Hazards: Stick to your pet’s regular diet and treats to avoid toxic or high-fat foods. Keep garbage out of reach and clean up any alcoholic beverage spills promptly to prevent pets from tasting them. Hire an animal nutritionist for a consultation, if you feel that your pet needs a diet nutrition boost.
13. Fireworks: Never use fireworks around pets. Lit fireworks can cause severe burns or trauma, and even unused fireworks can be hazardous. Keep pets safe from loud noises in a quiet, sheltered, and escape-proof area of your home.

By following these tips, you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable summer for both you and your furry friends.