Summer is the best time for people and their pets. It is a time to get out, enjoy the sun, explore nature, and have fun in water. Along with fun activities and the excitement of the sun, it can also be a dangerous time with the heat if you’re not careful, especially here in Gilbert where the temperature is regularly over 100 degrees. Anasazi Animal Hospital in Gilbert, Arizona is here to help you with tips to keep you having fun and your pet safe.
Tips for Summer Pet Safety
There are so many fun adventures and things to do during the summer. The days are longer and it seems like an endless frenzy of excitement. To ensure the excitement stays, keep in mind the following tips:
1. Be Aware of Hot Surfaces
Pets do not have a voice of their own and their goal is to please their owner. This can hinder things when it comes to walking across hot surfaces. Most animals tend to not give any sign that it may be painful to them. Pets that have pads on their feet can easily get burned if a surface of concrete, asphalt or sand are too hot. Just be mindful of the fact that some pets don’t have their own shoes like we do.
2. Shade Helps Avoid Heat Exhaustion
Animals are unable to perspire like humans are so they have the ability to overheat much faster. Recognizing this, it is helpful and important to ensure your pets have shade regularly that they can cool off in.
3. Kiddie Pools are Great Ways to Cool Down
If your pet likes water, a kiddie pool is a great way to let them play and cool down at the same time. It will be so much fun splashing with them in the pool and it will give you exercise too.
4. Hot Cars Can Be Deadly
It happens way too often where people think it is cool enough to leave their pet in the car, but not realizing how quickly a car can heat up. Even if it is less than 90 degrees out and you leave your windows down, within ten minutes the car can heat up to over 100 degrees due to the sun beating down on it. Never leave your pet in your car for any period of time when the weather is warm to keep them safe.
5. Know Pet Signs of Heat Stroke
It is important to be aware of signs for your pet overheating, so you can catch it immediately and care for your pet.
To ensure that you have a safe and fun summer with your pet, keep in mind their limitations as well as your own. If you have questions, Anasazi would love to connect with you!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (7/6/2017) EyeofJ (Flickr)