How to Keep Your Pet Safe in the Heat
- H2O: Provide plenty of water.
- Make sure there is lots of water to drink
- Set up a kiddie pool in a shady area
- Spray water on your dog’s belly ( in the hot sun, water on the back isn’t a good idea)
- Even cats will tolerate a spritz from a water bottle and birds LOVE it.
- Freeze your water in pop bottles that be placed in pools or wrapped in towels for a cool place to lay.
- Water sprayed on cool, shady cement can be refreshing provided your pet doesn’t have arthritis.
- Take Fido swimming at the local watering hole but be sure to use a life vest.
- Shade: Any time your pet is outdoors make sure there is ready access to shade.
- Shade can be a tree, canopy of the shady side of the house. Just remember that the sun’s position changes throughout the day so shady in the morning may not be shady in the afternoon.
- Doghouses are not shade. There is not enough air movement to keep them cool.
- Don’t forget your basement. It’s the coolest, safest place for your pet in the heat.
- Shade can be a tree, canopy of the shady side of the house. Just remember that the sun’s position changes throughout the day so shady in the morning may not be shady in the afternoon.
- Limit exercise:
- Keep air circulating with a fan:
- Go high tech:
- There are cooling gel dog beds available.
- You may also want to try cooling vests and collars.
- Keep your pet in the air conditioning:
- When it’s really hot sometimes the best move is to keep your pet inside until things cool down in the evening.