Did you know dogs and cats can get sunburn? Or that panting isn't as effective for short-nosed dog breeds?
Summer heat and sunshine can be serious for our pets, and they depend on us to keep them protected during the hotter months. Cooling pets down in summer often just takes some common sense and sensible changes, like walking earlier, keeping them well hydrated, keeping an eye on the ground temperature and making sure your pet has somewhere cool to retreat.
Sunburn in Pets
Just like people, animals need sun protection on sensitive areas such as the tips of their ears, their noses and other areas exposed to sunlight. Pets with pink skin or light coats can be vulnerable. Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Boxers, Bull Terriers, German Short-haired Pointers and French Bulldogs are among the breeds prone to sunburn.
Be sure to use pet-friendly sunscreen, especially on areas where they don’t have as much fur, like their belly. If your pet struggles with irritated or sensitive skin, choose a sunscreen with that in mind. And be sure to check out our guide to food for pets with sensitive skin.
Hot Cars and Pets
As we get closer and closer to summer, our cars can become unbearable in the heat. The temperature inside the car can rise to well over 40 degrees, even if the outside air temperature is much lower.
Parking in the shade and opening windows will help slightly, but if the alternative is leaving your pet in a hot car, it is always better to leave them at home. Even quick errands can take longer than expected, and a car that felt ok when you parked it can become dangerously hot very quickly.
Walking Your Pets
Heatstroke, dehydration and hot surfaces are all a risk when walking your pet in peak sunshine. Every year, vets treat pets who have severely injured their paws on hot pavements, beaches, roads or footpaths.
To test whether the ground is too hot, lay the palm of your hand flat onto the surface. Can you keep it there comfortably for five seconds or more? If the surface is too hot for you to handle, it’s too hot for your dog.
So, walk your dog earlier in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Carry water and a bowl with you too. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep dogs cool when you’re out and about on warm days.
Heatstroke Symptoms in Pets
Dogs don’t sweat the way we do and rely on panting to cool themselves down. Short-nosed breeds such as Pugs, French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs tend to be more vulnerable because panting is not as effective for them.
It pays to know the signs that your dog may have overheated, so you can act quickly. Heatstroke indicators include excessive or exaggerated panting, lethargy, weakness, drooling, high fever, dark red gums, rapid heartbeat, unresponsiveness to surroundings and vomiting.
If you notice these signs, move your pet somewhere cool and seek urgent care from your vet.
Staying Cool with Pets
Swimming is a great way for your pet to cool off in summer, so consider taking them somewhere there’s a safe stretch of water for them to play in. Add a game of fetch, and cooling off in the water can be fantastic exercise for dogs without the same level of heat exposure as running around in full sun.
Just remember that not every dog is a confident swimmer, and even strong swimmers can tire quickly.
A dog’s coat insulates them from the heat, so shaving isn’t always the best idea in summer. That being said, trimming a long-haired dog’s coat, particularly if it hangs around the legs, can help keep them cool. Regular brushing is useful in summer as well, because it removes loose hair and helps thin out a heavy, shedding coat.
Cats tend to deal with hot weather differently. You’ll often find them stretched out on bathroom tiles, under a bed or somewhere with a breeze. To keep cats cool, make sure they have easy access to shaded rooms, airflow and fresh water throughout the day.
Cooling Pets Down in Summer
Whatever you get up to this summer, make sure to consider the comfort of your furry friend. Good hot weather care for animals mostly comes down to forward planning and providing plenty of time to rest and rehydrate, so you can all enjoy the best bits of summer together.
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