Temperatures are soaring, but don’t let your pets suffer during one of the hottest months of the year. With a little forethought, you can keep your furry friends healthy and safe from heat-related illnesses like dehydration and heatstroke. So, while August is definitely heating things up, we thought we’d offer you twelve practical tips on how to help your pets cool down:
- Place crushed ice in your pet’s water bowl and refresh as needed. Ice cubes may also do the trick, but be careful that your dog doesn’t chip a tooth trying to chew one of these.
- Fill a plastic kiddie pool with water and leave it in a shady place in your backyard. Be sure to avoid the inflatable types that are easy to chew through and do not fill it too high if you have small dogs.
- Create a cooling center for outdoor pets consisting of a shaded area, a wet towel to lie on and a fresh bowl of crushed ice.
- Only walk your dog when temperatures are their coolest, such as early in the morning or during the evening hours.
- Test the ground before taking your dog for a walk. If you can’t comfortably keep your hand on the pavement for 5 seconds, it’s too hot to walk your pooch.
- Never ever leave your dog in a parked car during the summer. If outdoor temperatures are higher than 70 degrees (and it’s almost always above 70 in August), it’s too hot to leave your pet in the car.
- Pack cool supplies for your pet when you’re away from home. Fresh cold bottled water, a frozen treat or two, a cold toy and a water bowl should be in your cooler every time you and your faithful companion leave home for the day.
- Place a small fan near your pet’s bed.
- Make a homemade air-conditioner for your pet’s quarters like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITtlxjvLQis
- Keep elderly, sick, overweight and snub-nosed pets in air-conditioned temperatures at all times.
- Keep dogs inside on high humidity days as it is more difficult for them to cool off by panting when the air is warm and moist.
- Give your pet a good summer haircut.
We want to hear from you! What are some of your best tips for keeping pets cool during peak summer months?