Summertime may mean more outdoor adventures for your pets—think going on hikes or splashing around in the water—but that kind of fun can also be hard on them if you aren’t careful. Keeping your dogs, cats, and small animals cool when the temperatures rise may seem like common knowledge for most pet owners, but signs of overheating also may not always be obvious—and you may not realize how much more sensitive your furry companions are to hot weather than you are. To help ensure they stay healthy and happy even during a heat wave. Tips from veterinarians and animal behaviorists for their top summer safety tips for pets. Some breeds are more prone to heat-related stress than others, for instance, and products that provide protection against the elements (like paw balm or even doggie sunscreen) can be important to remember during the summer.
Keep Your Pets Protected (And Hydrated) When They’re Outside
Short walks are key when you’re taking your pet out on a warm or hot day. While a dog’s propensity to tolerate heat depends on many factors, some may be at risk for heatstroke at temperatures as low as 70 degrees. And remember that even if the air temperature is in the 70s, pavement or asphalt can be much hotter.
“Cats and dogs don’t sweat—aside from a very small amount between their toes—so they rely on panting for cooling,” says Dr. Rebecca Shumaker, a Connecticut-based veterinarian with Monarch Veterinary Services. “I typically recommend short walks in the early morning and after dusk…especially for the very young and very old, overweight pets and the brachycephalic breeds—for example, French bulldogs, English bulldogs, pugs,” who are more susceptible to heatstroke. If it isn’t possible to keep walks closer to dusk and dawn on hotter days, be mindful of walking your dog in the shade and on the grass where you can, and always bring along some water (and a travel water bowl) for them, even if you’re taking a short one. You can also try a cooling bandana, which works simply by wetting it and snapping it on your pup. CHEWY Canada Pooch Wet Reveal Cooling Dog Bandana $22 Shop At Chewy
If you can’t avoid pavement during your walks, you might also want to consider a balm or booties (if they’ll tolerate wearing them) to protect your dog’s sensitive paw pads. “Rule of thumb for pavement: If you can’t walk on it in bare feet, neither should they,” says Dr. Laura Greene, a North Carolina-based veterinarian with Merck Animal Health. “So if you put your hand down on the pavement or sidewalk and you can’t leave your hand there comfortably, there’s the possibility that they’re going to burn their feet.”
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If your pet is spending more time in your yard, you want to make sure there aren’t any poisonous plants or flowers that they can access. (The ASPCA has a handy list of common plants and their toxicity to dogs, cats and horses.) And if your pup enjoys water, you might want to invest in a doggie pool, splash pad or sprinkler toy. That said, you never want to leave pets unsupervised around a human pool, and avoid letting them drink from it.
It’s also worth a reminder that you should never, under any circumstances, leave a pet in a car without air-conditioning unattended. “If you wouldn’t sit in the car under those conditions, chances are your dog won’t be able to either and will likely be even more sensitive,” says Dr. Greene. It’s also illegal in several states to keep your animals alone in a parked vehicle. Consider investing in a dog stroller if you’re looking for a convenient way to tote them from one place to another; strollers also provide a good respite if your pup gets tired during a walk on a scorching day.
And finally, summertime, as we all know, is often accompanied by celebratory fireworks. This may go without saying, but make sure your pets are never exposed to them. Lit fireworks can cause burns and injuries, and unlit ones may contain hazardous materials as well. Additionally, since the noise of fireworks can trigger a fear response in animals, it’s best to keep your pet indoors in a quiet place (with something like a fan or white noise machine running) where they can’t escape.
Maintain A Comfortable Temperature Indoors
During the warmer months, you want to make sure the temperature is around 70 degrees (or even a little cooler) for optimum comfort and that your pets always have access to fresh water; staying hydrated during a heat wave is crucial. Cat water fountains can encourage your kitty to drink up, and having multiple bowls or fountains is also important if you have a multi-pet household. If you have a pet or breed who is particularly sensitive to heat (think flat-faced dogs and cats), consider a cooling mat, blanket or bed for them to lounge on inside. You can also give them freezable toys to help them stay cool if they’re exerting some energy playing.
Keeping the air conditioner running even when you’re not at home is ideal for all pets when it’s a scorcher outside, but particularly for rabbits. “Rabbits are more prone to heat-related illness than cats and dogs,” says Thea Harting, a New York-based rabbit behavior consultant. “Overheating can quickly kill rabbits, so vigilance and regular interaction are essential.” She suggests using a digital indoor thermometer to monitor the temperature in their space, and adds that senior rabbits (those over five years old) and those with limited mobility or underlying medical conditions are all at increased risk of overheating. Long-haired and lop breeds are at a higher risk, as well.
You can help ensure your indoor rabbits stay cool and comfortable by freezing 2-liter water bottles and putting them in their enclosures or living spaces to lean against. (I would always make sure to have a few extras in the freezer and rotate them out during the day.) Dr. Greene additionally suggests giving them a ceramic tile that they can use to lie on if they’d like to cool their bellies.
“Keeping the rabbits out of direct sun and providing plenty of ventilation with fans also helps,” adds Harting. And for those who keep their rabbits outdoors, she advises bringing them in once the temperature starts to rise. “There are too many hazards outside, including viruses and parasites that thrive in warmer weather.”
Be Aware Of The Symptoms Of Overheating
If you notice any signs that your pet might be overheating, it’s wise to call your vet immediately. These symptoms include excessive panting (“when you can tell that the primary thing that your dog is thinking about or concerned about is panting,” says Dr. Greene), restlessness and gums that are tacky or sticky to the touch as well as brick or dark red instead of pink. “If you are concerned that your dog is starting to overheat, number one first thing to do: shade and water,” says Dr. Greene. So bring them inside, get them on some tile or another cool surface that they can lie on, and blow a fan over them where possible.
Meet The Experts
- Laura Greene, DVM, DACVIM, is a senior professional services veterinarian with Merck Animal Health, where she serves as a national internal medicine expert. She graduated from the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, completed her residency in internal medicine at NCSU and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Before joining Merck Animal Health, Greene worked in specialty private practice.
- Rebecca Shumaker, DVM, is a veterinarian with 20 years’ experience, currently practicing at Monarch Veterinary Services in Greenwich, Connecticut. She received her B.S. in animal science from Cornell University and her degree in veterinary medicine from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Shumaker is currently a member of the AVMA, CVMA and the Tufts Veterinary Alumni Association.
Thea Harting is a New York-based rabbit behavior consultant, also known as the Badass Bunny Rescuer
This article is a revised version posted in Forbes Magazine Vetted Series