We all love spending quality time outdoors with our furry friends, especially in the Dellrose community, but being in the hot weather for too long can not only be dangerous for us, but also for our pets. To keep your family pet safe in the heat, we compiled some hot tips to help them stay cool.

 

1. Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so ensure they always have access to water when it’s hot and humid. A shady place for them to escape the sun is important, as is being careful not to over-exert them. When in doubt, keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.

2. Schedule an annual checkup for heartworm and ticks if they aren’t already on preventative medication.

3. Keep an eye out for signs of your pet overheating. These include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, drooling, mild weakness, or even collapsing.

4. Animals with flatter faces like pugs and some cat breeds are more inclined to getting heat stroke since they have a harder time panting. Pets who are elderly, overweight or have health complications, should stay indoors in an air-conditioned space when possible.

5. Just like us humans, dogs tend to feel a lot better when they’ve gotten a new hairdo. Feel free to trim longer hair on your dog when the warmer weather starts, but never shave them completely. The layers of a dogs’ fur help to protect them from overheating and getting sunburnt. When it comes to cats, brushing them on a regular basis can prevent them from overheating.
 

6. If the temperature gets really warm, avoid walking your animals on hot asphalt. The increased ground temperature heats their bodies at a faster rate and can easily burn their paw pads. Here’s one of our favorite products that you can easily apply to their paw pads to help prevent injuries.

Be sure to check with your veterinarian for more ways to keep your pet safe and happy in all kinds of weather.

Are you looking for ways to beat the heat? Here’s some family-friendly activities around Dellrose this summer, and our guide to activate your child’s summer.

Images courtesy of: Matt Nelson (Hero Image); Rafael Ishkhanyan (First Banner); Michael Sum (Second Banner); Jenny Marvin (Third Banner).