#Ad. This is a sponsored post in conjunction with Petplan but all thoughts are my own.
How To Keep Pets Safe During Hot Weather
With the temperature rising during the summer months, it’s important to make sure you are familiar with how to keep your pets safe during hot weather.
Hot weather can be especially dangerous for our furry friends, as they can easily become overheated and suffer from dehydration and heatstroke.
During the summer months, I immediately think of our pets and even though I’m experienced in how to keep them safe during how weather, I always wonder if there’s more I can do to make them more comfortable.
With my pets at the forefront of my mind, my priority is to look after them and ensure they’re out of harm’s way. They’re like my babies and I love them SO much.
After googling tips on how to keep pets safe and comfortable during hot days, and realising there’s a fair share of misinformation out there, I’m working with Petplan Pet Insurance the UK’s number 1 pet insurer including Dog Insurance to make sure the right advice is spread far and wide.
Even when summer is over, I think it’s important to remember these pet summer safety points.
The pawfect day out
Like most pets, Bonnie’s enjoys long walkies and the perfect day out in the park. Dog-mode activated.
To keep Bonnie comfortable but to still let her be independent and have all the fun she wants, here are mine and Petplan’s tips on how to keep pets safe during the hot weather.
Avoid mid-day walkies: Mid-day sun is the hottest sun and during summer I, myself, try not to go out between 11am-3pm if I can. Avoid taking pets out on a summer’s day during these hours as anything over 23 degrees celsius can be dangerous for your dog.
Cooling mat: Put a cold wet towel or a cooling mat (available from pet stores) on the floor and they will gravitate towards it when they need to cool down. Don’t put a wet towel over your dog as this can make them even hotter once the towel dries up. This is something I recently learned. It traps in heat and sweat which makes them uncomfortable.
Sit in the shade: Having a picnic? Sitting in the garden? Opt for a shady area and let the dog cool off. Dogs get sunburnt too so take care when sitting outdoors and pick your spot carefully. Bonnie only has one layer of hair so she’s susceptible to burns with prolonged exposure to the sun.
Stay hydrated: There are plenty of shops in town that leave water-filled dog bowls out but not so much in the park, so I take a bottle of water in my bag along with a small bowl. We bought a fold-up bowl for Bonnie which fits in to my bag. All the running is thirsty walk for Bonnie!
Test the ground: Their paws can burn if the ground is too hot, which is will be on a boiling hot day. Test it by putting your hand on the ground and if it’s too hot for you, then it will be uncomfortable for their paws to walk on.
Pamper the paws: If you notice that their paws are on the dry side or they’re chewing on them more than usual, treat them to some natural paw balm to moisturise and sooth dryness. They’re available at the pet store (we use Pethead’s oatmeal paw butter which costs around £6). They love the massage!
Go for a swim: We’re lucky that there’s a river where my parents live in Yorkshire and Bonnie can dip her feet in to cool herself down. I’ve never seen her properly swim, so I wouldn’t trust her to go far! Equally, garden sprinkler on the lightest setting or a paddling pool will have the same effect.
Frozen treats: I also visit an independent dog food specialist store where they stock ice-cream and ice-lollies specifically made for dogs. Before I discovered this shop, I used fill up a medium size Tupperware box with water and put it in the freezer to make a huge ice block and leave it out for Bonnie. To make it extra yummy for them, you could flavour the ice block with homemade chicken stock.
Don’t leave them in hot cars: This one’s a no brainer but no matter how many times it’s been said, people still do it. Don’t leave dogs in hot cars. Not even with the windows down. Don’t do it. Just don’t.
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I’d love to know what tips you’ve got to help your pet stay cool during summer?
