The summertime brings with it unforgiving temperatures and heightened dangers of heatstroke and dehydration for animals. Freshwater, hydrating fruits and vegetables, and paw balm are essential for maintaining the health of dogs. Additionally useful for keeping pets cool are cooling mats packed with water or gel that absorbs heat.
Pet owners need to take safety measures to shield their animals from the intense heat and perspiration. Even while summertime is great, it’s important to keep them safe from the heat and make sure they have access to the things they need. Here’s a summary of some vital advice to assist you care for your pet this summer:
Be Aware of the Symptoms
The usual temperature range for dogs is between 100° and 103°F, while the normal temperature range for cats is between 100.4º and 102.5ºF. Anything over that indicates that your pet is in jeopardy. During a heat wave, the animal may exhibit odd breathing, excessive salivation, or elevated heart rate. Therefore, make sure your pet is napping in the shade if you keep them outside.
We advise bringing them into your house so they may unwind in a cool, cosy area. Remember to maintain the hydration of both pets and stray animals. Keep an eye out for these potential overheating symptoms: severe breathing; bright red or parched gums; diarrhoea, vomiting, drool, and trembling in the legs.
Give Proper Nutrition
In summer, feed your pet with fruits and vegetables that have a high level of water. Consuming it helps the pet to remain hydrated and also gives balanced nutrition. You may also feed your pet with buttermilk or curd*. These are some amazing summer food options for the pet. Ensure that you do not give your pet any ice cream, chocolates, or any product that has sugar or salt in it.
These products are a BIG NO, hence avoid feeding these to your pet. The intake of water should be higher during the heating season. Avoid serving hot foods to the pet, serve the food at room temperature only. Change the water in their bowl every day.
Ensure your pet’s hygiene
For the comfort and welfare of your pet, regular grooming is necessary. Basic duties including brushing, cleaning, cutting nails, and grinding are included. Your pet may unwind with a massage as well. It’s crucial to give your pet a haircut in the summer, but don’t shave them completely down since this might affect how they regulate their body temperature.
Regular grooming encourages airflow to your pet’s skin, which helps keep them cool during the summer. The body needs hair to stay cool and shield itself from toxins in the environment. It is recommended to simply get hygienic cuts rather than trimming or cutting hair.
Get Rid of Parasites
It makes sense to keep your pet free from ticks, fleas, and lice. Recall that tick activity peaks in March through mid-May, and then again in August through November. When the temperature rises above freezing, the ticks become active. You should have an anti-tick spray in your house if you are a pet owner. It aids in tick death so your pet won’t have to endure the misery of constant scratching.
Keep an eye on the pet’s weight.
There’s a potential the pet may gain weight in the winter. The summer is the ideal season for them to work out, stay in top physical condition, and maintain their health. Aim to avoid harsh sunshine or hot days when you walk your dogs. When the weather is cooler, take your pet for a stroll or outside playtime; this will calm both of you. At the very least throughout the summer, the walks should be limited to the early morning and evening hours.
Use cooling mats
Because concrete slabs absorb heat, heated surfaces like metal or asphalt can burn your pet’s paws throughout the summer. Your pet should avoid hot asphalt and have dry, clean paws to avoid this. Apply paw lotion and periodically inspect for wounds, bruising, and discolouration. By removing heat from your pet’s body and giving them a cold, refreshing feeling, cooling mats can help keep them cool. If your pet would rather not feel worried, give them soothing soak baths and soak them in cool water for at least three days.
Keep Your Pet Out of the Car
Although pets frequently love car rides, they might not appreciate being stranded in a hot car when the temperature is above 100 degrees. It’s advisable to leave your pet in the car with the air conditioning on when you go, as heat stroke can occur in less than ten minutes. In 16 states with “hot car” legislation, it is not only prohibited but also harmful to leave dogs in automobiles. If you witness a pet left alone in a car in a dangerous situation, you should notify the authorities or take quick action to find the owner.
Keep your pet out of the closed car since this might cause heat stroke or suffocation. When left unattended, the temperature inside the automobile can rise to 120 degrees Celsius from as high as 40 degrees. Bring water and food for your pet to eat if you want to drive with them. In the automobile, never leave your pet alone.
Seeing a Vet is Essential
Seeing the veterinarian once every three months is a recommended habit. See a vet right away if your pet exhibits any symptoms of dehydration, panting, or drooling. If your pet is not doing well, give the veterinarian a call and describe the symptoms. You don’t need to worry about the costs if you have pet dog insurance.
Make sure your pet stays hydrated
Make sure your pet has access to fresh, clean water all day long. To keep their water cool, periodically change it and add some ice cubes. They can fend off the heat by being fed natural cooling like curd and unsweetened buttermilk.
Limit exercise during peak hours
Veterinarians consistently advise pet owners to refrain from exercising their animals in the warmest part of the day. Instead, when it’s colder, take them for a stroll early in the morning or late at night. Another great summertime alternative is to take your pets for walks on the lawn.
Use sunscreen
Pets are susceptible to sunburns, which can result in skin cancer, especially those with light or short hair. Use sunscreen every three to four hours on your pet’s less hair-covered areas, such as their nose, ears, and belly, to prevent sunburn. Use only sunscreen designed especially for pets. Sunscreen prepared for people may include harmful ingredients like zinc. To get the best product for your pet, speak with your veterinarian.
Conclusion
To sum up, we can say that fun times outside with your furry friends may be had all summer long. However, there are several safety measures you must take to keep your cat safe when the temperature soars. It’s crucial to keep your pet safe and healthy whether they’re playing in the park, taking a stroll outside, or riding in the car. The above advice can help you care for your pet in the summer.
