Summer Safety Tips for Pets: How To Keep Dogs and Cats Safe

With warm weather, everyone is excited to get outdoors with their pet and enjoy the sunshine! While summer brings many joys, there are some possible dangers to be on the lookout for as a responsible pet parent. 

Let’s explore several summer safety tips for pets to ensure things stay sunny and fun. 

What Are the Biggest Summer Dangers for Pets?

The biggest danger for pets during the summer is heatstroke. 

High temperatures can increase the risk of heatstroke, especially with prolonged exposure, exercise, or high humidity. 

Certain breeds, like English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Chow Chows, do not cool themselves efficiently. These breeds are especially prone to heatstroke. 

Classically, ambient temperatures above 85 F are associated with a higher risk of heatstroke. However, temperatures as low as 70 F can induce heatstroke in susceptible breeds, especially when the air is very humid. 
 

While walking outdoors, pay attention to the temperature of the pavement. Hot summer sun means hot asphalt. If it’s uncomfortable for you to walk barefoot outside, it’s also probably too hot for your pet’s feet. 

Consider walking in the cooler grass or utilizing booties to keep your dog’s paw pads from burning while going on walks. 

With weather staying consistently warm, there are more parasites as well. 

Ticks are most active during the warmer months from April to September. They carry many diseases that pets are susceptible to. 

Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis are common tick-borne illnesses that affect dogs, while cytauxzoonosis, also known as bobat fever, is a serious tick-borne disease in cats. 

Mosquitoes are also more prevalent during the warmer months and can spread illness, like heartworm disease. 

Be sure to keep your pet on regular parasite prevention products, like NexGard Plus or Revolution Plus, to reduce their risk of infection. 

Check your pet daily for ticks if they go outdooors, and if you find any, remove them promptly. 

During the hot summer months, many families treat their lawns with chemicals to reduce pests and weeds. These products can lead to toxicity in pets. Avoid letting your dog or cat have access to yards that have been recently treated. 

If you have a lawn care specialist, ask them how long your pets should stay off the grass for the specific products they use. 

How To Prevent Heatstroke in Pets

The best way to prevent heatstroke in your pet is to avoid going outdoors during peak heat. Try to find time in the early morning or evening for daily walks, when the temperature is cooler than at midday 

Avoid spending time outdoors during high sun, typically from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

In some months and regions, the temperature remains over 80 degrees Fahrenheit even in the morning or evening. During these times, focus outdoor time on quick bathroom breaks and avoid prolonged heat exposure. 

Temperatures inside a car can get dangerously hot very quickly. Never leave your pet in a parked car. Temperatures inside a car can rise 20 degrees within 10 minutes. A dog can die in a hot car in as little as 15 minutes. Save your errands for when your furry friend is safe at home. 

While you’re on your daily walk and enjoying the sunshine, watch them closely for excessive panting. If they seem to be overheating, cut your walk short and immediately seek shade or air conditioning to allow them to cool down. 

Signs of Heatstroke in Dogs and Cats

Signs of heatstroke in pets include: 

• Excessive panting that won’t slow down 
• Thick, ropey drool 
• Restlessness or pacing 
• Bright red or purplish gums 
• Collapse 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Weakness or stumbling 
• Seizures 

How To Keep Pets Hydrated in Summer

When dogs get hot, they pant to help cool themselves down. The act of panting helps cool the dog as moisture evaporates from their tongue and respiratory tract. 

Cats will groom themselves, and the evaporation of saliva from their coat helps cool them. This loss of moisture can contribute to dehydration more quickly in the summer. 

To help protect your pets during the warmer months, make sure they always have access to plenty of clean, fresh water. Consider offering water from multiple water stations that are easily accessible. 

While going on walks or hikes, bring a water bottle and a travel water bowl so that you’re able to give your dog a clean drink of water as needed. 

Consider supplementing with wet food during warmer weather to increase fluid intake. Canned food contains a much higher percentage of water than dry food, and this helps with hydration. 

Some pets may enjoy frozen treats, which can be refreshing during hot weather. 

A frozen enrichment interactive treat dispenser can provide entertainment and cooling simultaneously. 

Protecting Your Pet’s Paws From Hot Surfaces

Hot surfaces can do more than lead to discomfort; they can also lead to burns on the paw pads. 

When ambient temperature gets over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, pavement temperatures can get above 120 degrees. Paw pads can sustain significant burns relatively quickly when your dog is on hot asphalt. 

To minimize your pup’s risk of getting paw pad burns, try to walk on cooler grass or in shady neighborhoods and parks while getting exercise. Consider walking early in the morning before the sun has had time to heat up the pavement. 

Consider using protective booties to keep your pet’s feet safe. 

Parasite Prevention in Summer

People and pets are more active during the summertime, and insects are too! Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes all spread diseases that can make your pet sick. 

Protect your pet with regular parasite prevention products. 

Consider veterinary-recommended products. Products like NexGard Plus or Simparica Trio for dogs and Revolution Plus or Credelio for cats are options to help keep your pet safe. 

While some preventives kill fleas and ticks after they bite your pet, checking for ticks is still important. The longer certain ticks are attached, the greater the risk of transmitting some diseases. Continue to check your pet thoroughly following outdoor activities and promptly remove any ticks you find. 

Water Safety Tips for Pets

Water playtime is more fun for everyone when it’s done safely. 

Some breeds are excellent swimmers; others are not. If you have a dog breed that is not an excellent swimmer, like Frenchies, English Bulldogs, Corgis, or Basset Hounds, consider using a life jacket to keep them safe. 

Even if your pet is a good swimmer, float trips and other water excursions on fast-moving bodies of water can be dangerous. Life jackets are necessary, even if your pet doesn’t need one in a lake of pond. 

Always supervise your pet while around large bodies of water. 

After they’ve been swimming, bathe your pet with a cleansing shampoo to remove any bacteria, salt, or chemicals. 

Try to keep your pet from drinking out of bodies of water. Instead, bring along clean water and a travel water bowl to avoid the possibility of gastrointestinal upset. 

Summer Toxins and Hazards To Avoid

Let’s look at some of the most common summer toxins and hazards to avoid: 

• Summer lawn care can mean an increased risk of exposure to pesticides and fertilizers. 
• Be sure to always keep chemicals stored safely in a place that is inaccessible to pets. 
• Never leave your pet unattended in a garage or storage shed. 
• Avoid letting your dog have access to mulch or composting piles. Eating mulch can lead to stomach distress and intestinal blockage, and certain mulches contain substances that are not safe for dogs. Cocoa mulch contains the same toxic compounds as chocolate and can be dangerous for dogs. Compost piles can grow toxic molds that can be life-threatening to dogs. 
• When enjoying summer barbecues with friends, make sure everyone is responsible with their human food and how they dispose of it. Chunks of corn on the cob can easily get stuck  in a dog’s intestines, necessitating abdominal surgery. 
• Grapes are toxic to dogs, and even small amounts can cause kidney failure. 
• Chocolate treats can lead to seizures or even be fatal when ingested by pups. Have plenty of trash cans with lids readily accessible to guests, and make sure kids know not to leave their plates or trash on low surfaces. 
• Citronella candles and sprays can help repel mosquitoes, but they can also irritate the skin and GI tract in dogs when applied topically or ingested. Avoid exposure of citronella directly to your dog’s skin, and don’t let them ingest any citronella-based products. 
• Blue-green algae season peaks in late summer with stagnant water and warm temperatures. Some blue-green algae blooms produce toxins that can cause severe illness, including liver or neurological damage, and can be fatal. If you see a suspected algae bloom, keep your dog safe by not letting them swim near it or drink the water. 

Grooming and Coat Care in Summer

When temperatures heat up, many dogs shed more than usual. Regular brushing and grooming can help remove unattached hair and help your pet stay sleek and cool. 

Consider investing in a good brush that your pet likes, so grooming time is enjoyable. While many cats enjoy a daily soft-bristle brush, dogs with longer, silkier coats may require a brush with firmer bristles. 

Detangling products can be helpful for long coats to help the brush glide with less resistance and pulling. A grooming comb can be helpful for stubborn mats. 

Some pet parents find shaving their pet down with clippers for the summer to be helpful during the hottest months of the year. 

Do not shave double-coated breeds, like Chow Chows or Pomeranians, unless advised to do so by your veterinarian. 

Regular coat care can help your pet’s skin stay healthy. 

When To Call Your Veterinarian

Be sure to call your veterinarian right away if you suspect your pet has heatstroke. Prompt treatment is crucial for their recovery. 

Vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea are all signs of possible heatstroke. 

If your pet has burns on their feet, reach out to your vet for guidance, as pain medications (like Carprofen) and antibiotics (like Clavamox) or other treatment may be recommended, depending on the severity.   

If you think your pet may have ingested a toxin (like blue-green algae, pesticide, compost, chocolate, or grapes), contact a veterinarian or animal poison control resource immediately for guidance. Never wait to see  if toxin ingestion is suspected.