Summer’s finally here, and if you’re like us, you’re looking forward to spending as much of it as possible with your pets. Whether you can’t wait to swim, hike, and stroll the beach with your dog, or just want to nap in the sunbeams with your cat, don’t let health and safety hazards turn your pet’s summer into a bummer.

Based on the most common reasons for emergency vet visits in the summertime, here are our top 10 summer safety tips for dogs and cats.

Top 10 Summer Safety Tips for Dogs and Cats

1.Keep pets out of the heat.

Dogs and cats cannot sweat like humans do, so they’re much more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, even when it doesn’t seem extremely hot outside. Pets also tend to keep playing even when they’re exhausted, so it’s important to take breaks before your pet shows signs of heat stress. Limit time outdoors during the hottest part of the day, around noon to 3 PM, instead taking walks in the early morning and evenings.

2.Protect paws from hot pavement.

Pets can suffer second and third degree burns on their paw pads from stepping on scorching hot pavement. It doesn’t have to feel hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk for it to be dangerous to walk your dog. When the outdoor air temperature is just 77 degrees Fahrenheit, asphalt can be as hot as 125 degrees, hot enough to burn your pet’s skin in less than a minute. Before walking your dog, touch the pavement with the back of your hand. If it’s too hot for your hand to stand, it’s too hot for your pet. Avoid walking during the hottest part of the day, and stay away from especially hot surfaces like sand, artificial turf, and dark-colored asphalt.

3.Pet-proof screen doors and windows.

This summer, you might open windows or doors to let in the fresh air. First, make sure your window screens and screen doors are pet-proof. Even small dogs and cats can push out a window screen and potentially suffer a fall accident. You can find screens made specially for pets, or keep your windows and doors open just a few inches. For window-watching pets, consider building a catio or outdoor enclosure that allows your pet to safely enjoy the fresh air.

4.Protect pets against fleas and ticks.

Whether your pet goes for hikes in the woods or spends most of their time basking in the air-conditioning, they need flea and tick protection. Fleas and ticks are carried indoors on clothes and shoes, hitch a ride on other pets, and can even make their way inside through window screens. Dogs and cats need year-round protection with a flea and tick preventative. Don’t forget to check your pet for fleas and ticks when they return home after spending time outside.

5. Keep pets safe from drowning.

If you have a pool, make sure it has a gate that your pet cannot climb or jump over. You can also install a ramp to ensure that if your pet does fall into the pool, they’ll be more likely to find their way out. Even pets that love to swim, whether it’s at a pool, beach, or lake, should always be supervised while swimming and wear a life vest.

6. Never leave your pet in a car unattended - even for five minutes.

It takes as little as six minutes for a pet to suffer a fatal heat stroke in a hot car. Even on relatively mild days, the inside of a car can heat up to 30 degrees hotter than the outside temperature in just one hour. If you’re taking your dog or cat on a road trip and need to take a bathroom break, consider stopping at a pet store to use their restroom if nobody can stay with your pet.

7. Keep the water bowl full.

Pets may drink up to twice as much water in the summer as they do in cooler months. Drinking plenty of water helps pets replace fluids lost through panting, for dogs, and through self-cooling self-grooming in cats. Water is also essential to blood circulation throughout the body, which aids temperature regulation. Make sure your pets always have cool, fresh water available and leave out multiple clean bowls or pet water fountains around their living space.

8. Spay or neuter ahead of mating season.

For cats, spring to late summer is mating season, and unspayed or unneutered male and female cats will experience an increased urge to roam. Roaming can lead to unwanted litters, fights with other animals, getting hit by a car, and many other serious hazards. Kittens as young as four months old may experience the “call of the wild,” during mating season, so make sure to schedule their spay or neuter as soon as possible.

9.Update your pet’s ID and microchip.

In the summer, animal shelters see a sharp increase in lost pets for multiple reasons. For one, fireworks and summer thunderstorms can spook pets into running away. Pets can also get lost on road trips, during leash-free romps at the park, or by slipping through an open window or door. Check your pet’s microchip registration number to ensure it’s linked to your contact information. If you don’t have your pet’s microchip registration number, your vet can scan for it at their next appointment. A collar with ID tags, a GPS collar, and of course, a sturdy fence can all act as layers of protection to keep your pets safe.

10. Keep pets away from picnic and barbecue leftovers.

The fresh weather has many of us looking forward to eating outdoors, and inevitably, there’s likely to be more discarded food strewn about. Corncobs, bones from barbecued meats, grapes, fruit pits, and alcohol are all common dangers to pets in the summertime. Always properly store or discard leftovers when barbecuing or picnicking, and be extra vigilant when walking your dog in popular parks.

VISION

Every pet deserves to live a long, happy, healthy life.