Can you imagine sitting in your house wearing a fur coat on a 90 degree day? Sounds horrible right?
As the temperatures rise it is important to keep your pet(s) comfortable and healthy. The summer sun can cause pets to become overheated, dehydrated and if left outside, sunburned.
Here are a few tips for protecting your pet from the summer heat.
Give Them A Summer Haircut
Pets that have thick, long fur should be trimmed (not shaved) during warmer months. If your pet is anything like mine, then sunbathing is a favorite afternoon past time. Unfortunately this could lead to heat stroke if they aren’t properly groomed, reports Yahoo.
Keep Them Inside
You may think you are doing them a favor by leaving them outside to catch the summer breeze but this could be a fatal mistake. According to Petfinder, even in the shade, a pet exposed to extreme heat and humidity is at risk for heatstroke. In addition to heatstroke, animals with shorter hair are also at risk for sunburn when left out in the sun. If you are outside in the sun with your pet, consider buying them Pet Suncreen.
Provide Plenty of Water
Water is likely to vaporize on extra hot days so providing one bowl may not be sufficient. Consider adding additional bowls in cooler spots of the house to ensure your pet stays hydrated. You may also want to add ice cubes to the water before you leave for work to keep the temperature of the water down.
Keep it Cool
Leaving the air conditioning on is the best way to keep your home cool while you are away. I know…some may be thinking no way, my electric bill will be through the roof! Unless you can leave your pet in a cool/shady place for the entire day, you should consider leaving the air conditioner on at a reasonable temperature. If this just isn’t a feasible option, you can help reduce the temperature in the house by keeping the curtains and window shades closed. Another option is leaving a fan on that they can lay near.
Plan for Power Outages
If you leave your dog home alone with the air conditioning on (and all the windows closed) while you’re at work all day, and you live in an area where brownouts or rolling blackouts occur during peak times of power usage, make sure a neighbor who will be at home has your house key, suggests Today. That way your neighbor can check on your dog and open all the windows if the power goes out.
Supervise Swim Time
I don’t know of many cats who enjoy swimming in the pool but I do know of plenty of dogs. If you have a pool in your yard and a pooch who likes to take an occasional dip, ensure that swim time is always supervised. Be sure to teach your dog how to exit the pool safely or an unsupervised dip could end in tragedy.
By taking these preventive steps both you and your pet can enjoy a safe and fun summer together.
Image via PetMD
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Swimming is the best idea you will both have fun