Summer Safety Tips for your Pet
Did you know that on a 30°C day it only takes 10 minutes for your car to become 39°C inside…even with the windows opened over an inch!
All too often in the summer, the media is bombarded with news about people leaving children and pets trapped in cars on hot summer days. The thought of slowly overheating in a vehicle is tragic. Parking in the shade or keeping the windows down a crack is simply not enough to keep your pets cool. The bottom line is to keep your pets at home in the heat and NEVER leave them unattended in a car.
Pets most at risk in the heat are elderly or young animals, overweight animals and especially animals with short or pushed-in muzzles. Dog breeds such as Pugs, English Bulldogs and Shih Tzu’s have a difficult time breathing in the heat and should be kept indoors, other than short bathroom breaks in the backyard.
There are no excuses when it comes to leaving your pets in a car on a hot day, or having them overheat and develop heatstroke. All pet heat safety tips come down to common sense, so make sure you use yours!
Tips for Hot Weather Traveling:
- Book a check-up for your pet with your veterinarian before traveling. Ensure your pet has the proper vaccinations for your travel location(s) and appropriate health papers. Flea, tick and parasite prevention should also be discussed and the appropriate prevention given. Your pet should be in good physical shape before embarking on trips to reduce any added stress placed on them.
- Carry a jug of water with a bowl for your dog wherever you go. Make sure the water is always fresh and you can even freeze a water bottle before hand so it is cold.
- Always exercise your pet during the coolest parts of the day (early morning or evening) and remember that if it’s too hot for you, it’s definitely too hot for your pet! Just like humans, pets should not exercise immediately after a meal.