How to Keep Your Pets Safe in Hot Summer Weather

It’s heating up here in Texas, and it is more important now than ever before to mind your heat safety for dogs and cats. Broadway Oaks Animal Hospital is ready to share our best summer pet care tips with you so you and your furry friend can have fun in the sun this season.

Safe Outdoor Activities

Enjoy the summer by choosing some of our favorite safe outdoor activities for pets. Consider:

• Playing in the sprinkler
• Enjoying frozen treats like Frosty Paws
• Blowing some bubbles
• Creating an icy puzzle by freezing some treats into a large ice cube
• Checking if your local ice cream shop offers doggy treats
• Busting out the kiddie pool
• Chasing fireflies
• Heading out for a hike

Choose to spend your outdoor time in the morning or evening, at the coolest part of the day.

Our Favorite Summer Pet Care Tips

Texas pets are no strangers to hot weather, but we can all learn a tip or two! When it comes to heat safety for dogs and cats, our staff wants to remind our pet parents about:

• Heat stroke – When a pet overheats, things can get serious very quickly. Preventing pet heat stroke means keeping a close eye on your pet when outdoors. Older, very young, or smushed-faced breeds are at particular risk. Early signs of heat stroke include excessive panting, vomiting or diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and lethargy. Move your pet to a cooler location right away if you notice signs of trouble
• Too hot to touch – We typically wear shoes, and it’s easy to forget that your pet is probably not. If you can’t touch a surface for at least ten seconds, it is too hot for your pet to walk on. Walking surfaces including sand, concrete, asphalt, and packed dirt can heat up quickly. Choose a grassy area for your walk!
• Pets sunburn, too – Pets, especially those who are light in color or have a short coat, can suffer sunburn. Try to avoid peak UV hours around noon, and consider UV-protective pet clothing or a pet-specific PABA and zinc oxide free sunscreen, on the nose and ear tips.

Don’t forget that your pet’s coat is protective and insulates against the heat. Avoid shaving your dog down in the summer, and keep the undercoat clean and free from mats.

Hydration for Pets

When it comes to keeping pets cool in the summer sun, water is key. Good hydration plays a big role in maintaining normal physiological processes like organ function, temperature regulation, and joint health.

If a pet becomes dehydrated, it can compromise digestion and circulation. Keep your pet hydrated by:

• Always providing clean, fresh water (even when not at home)
• Offering hydrating treats like canned food, cucumber, or even melon (no rind, please)
• Invest in a good portable bowl and water bottle for pets on the go
• Always be prepared with plenty of fresh water when you and your pets are out of the house

Summer can be an enjoyable time to spend with your pets. By minding the rays and encouraging good hydration, you can be sure both you and your pet stay cool. Don’t forget that we are always here to help, contact us if you have questions or concerns.