Tips to Keep Your Pets Happy and Healthy in the Summer Heat

jax-2
jax-2

Happy June everyone! This is my absolute favorite month for many many reasons: Beginning of Summer, My Anniversary, Vacation Trips, and My Puppy’s birthday! So many fun things happen this month and I am so excited to get them all underway. So as I mentioned, my puppy AKA The Best Boy in the World AKA My Bestie for the Restie AKA Jax has a birthday this month and specifically, he turned ONE on Sunday! So everyone give a B-Day shout out to the cutest dog ever! (You can see him posing with my flowers in the photo to your left).

Hanging out in the back yard or taking walks are some of our favorite things to do together, but not until getting a dog, did I realize the importance of keeping pets safe in the summer heat. I knew dogs would get hot and pant, but I didn’t realize that heat strokes in animals are a common and serious issue that every owner needs to be aware of. Thus, this blog post idea was born into creation. I did some research and found some tips on how to keep your pet safe in the summer heat. Check them out below:

  • Check the pavement temperature before venturing out for a walk: Before allowing your puppy to walk on a paved surface, place your palm on it to check how warm it is. If it is too hot for your touch, then it is much to warm for them to walk on.
  • Make cool puppy snacks: Do some Pinterest searching to find recipes for dog treats that can go in the freezer, such as Pupsicles. Or if you are not much on the culinary arts, try cooling some of your pet’s favorite chew toys in the freezer as a refreshing cool-down delight.
  • Keep regular grooming appointments scheduled: Speaking personally, sometimes I let Jax’s hair get too long before calling the groomer, which results in a lot of unwanted trapped heat when we are outside. Excessive hair on dogs, especially during the summer months, is a nuisance and should be gotten rid of as soon as possible.
  • Bring water along on walks: Don’t forget water for both you and your four-legged friend. Allowing a rest period during the walk for a drink of water is definitely necessary to keep your pet safe, most certainly if the walk is more brisk or a jog.
  • Buy a kiddie pool…but for your doggy: Most dogs love water..and playing in the water is the perfect way to bring their body temperature down to a comfortable level. Buy one of the plastic pools at your local Dollar Store and fill it up for your pup. Splashing and playing is both fun for them and great for their health.
  • Know the warning signs of heat strokes: According to PetMD, there are a few telltale signs that you pet are suffering from a heat stroke. As a pet owner, it is our responsibility to look out for our pets and provide them with the best care, so make sure to keep yourself educated on harmful circumstances and how to react:

    • Panting
    • Dehydration
    • Excessive drooling
    • Increased body temperatures
    • Reddened gums
    • Rapid heart rate

Find the full list here.


If you’re anything like me, your pets are part of your family and loved dearly. It is important to make sure we are always doing the best things for our furry friends because we are their main life source and caregivers. Tell me about your pets! What are some of your favorite things to do together? Do they have a favorite warm weather activity?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time.