Summer offers plenty of fun for you and your pets. Though the COVID-19 pandemic has made socializing a real problem, that doesn’t mean you and those with whom you quarantine, like your pets, can’t enjoy yourselves. None of the recent changes has made things any less hot in the south. Temperatures, per the norm are soaring, so remember to be smart about your summer fun for the sake of your pets, and protect your pets from the heat.

Whether you’re having a backyard BBQ or just a day outdoors where you can still be socially distant, it’s easy to forget that your pet may not handle the heat with the same ease. When you feel discomfort, you have plenty of ways to cool down. Your pet, however, relies on you for help.

• Take extra water with you and share with your pet. Even if you will be somewhere where there is a public source of water, don’t count on that; be ready with extra water for you and your pet. If you’re at home, add some ice to your pet’s water bowl. This is a great idea in any warm season, and even if you’re not going outside.
• Shade your pet as much as possible. Your dog may want to play, but he’ll get tired, too. Make sure he has a shady place to rest.
• Give your pet a cool bath. Just as you feel better getting into cool water on a hot day, so will your pet. If there’s no swimming around, splash some of your extra water over your pet. When you’re at home, you can get paddling pool very cheaply, fill it with water, and leave it out for your pet to splash and play.
• Know the signs of heat stroke. It doesn’t take long for your pet to reach that point, so watch for excessive panting, extreme thirst, stumbling, etc. Hopefully, if you limit your pet’s time in the sun, provide shade, extra water and all other recommendations, you won’t have to worry about this.

Of course, if your pet is an outdoor pet, all these are even more important; provide them all, and do so all day, every day. Keep an eye on the heat index. If it rises, let your pet come inside for a while.

Enjoy your summer and stay safe and cool. Protect your pet from the summer heat, and let us help protect your pet’s overall health. Call us at Pet Vet Hospitals.