The Summer Solstice is right around the corner but we’ve already been feeling the heat. There’s some 80 and 90 degree weather coming up over the next 2 weeks so I wanted to go over these summer safety tips for your pets to stay comfy, indoors and out!

🐱 For the Felines

1. Clean out those bowls and water fountains so they can hydrate with fresh, clean water daily. You can even keep a bowl in different rooms so they have easily accessible options.
2. Add crushed ice or ice cubes to the water bowls for extra cooling. Some kitties will even find this is an entertaining game of trying to “catch the cube.”
3. Brush them regularly to keep their coats light and airy, reduce shedding, and prevent matting and overheating.
4. Keep your AC and any fans on at a comfortable level. Be careful not to leave fans on unattended as they can be a fire hazard!
5. Check the screens on your windows and doors to make sure they’re locked and secured. Kitties love to lounge in the sun but we wouldn’t want them to get outside unintentionally.
6. Close curtains to cool the room and provide extra shade.
7. Store harmful chemicals (e.g. fertilizers, pesticides, and pool chemicals) in a secure location, away from curious paws.
8. Move toxic plants (e.g. lilies, azaleas, tulips, and daffodils) out of reach, perhaps in a room you can close or high up where your cat can’t jump.

🐶 For the Canines

1. Apply pet-safe sunscreen to pups with thin hair, light skin, or exposed skin (like the ears).
2. Brush them regularly to keep their coats light and airy, reduce shedding, and prevent matting and overheating.
3. Save longer walks for the early morning and/or late evening; midday walks can be a quick 10 minutes on those particularly scorching days.
4. Drape a cool, wet towel over their back or a cool, wet bandana around their neck to help cool down during or after a hot walk.
5. Before a walk, check the pavement with your hand. If you can’t keep your hand there for longer than 10 seconds, stick to dirt paths and/or grass that are shaded or go back inside and wait for a cooler time of day.
6. Hydrate before, during, and after walks; you can add crushed ice or ice cubes for extra cooling and a fun game I call “catch the cube.” Warning: might cause small, mysterious puddles around your home from leftover ice cube fun.
7. Check for ticks daily on yourself and your pups before coming back inside.
8. Summer also brings more thunder and lightning storms. For our extra sensitive pups, make sure you have your plan in place to help ease their anxiety during this time.
9. Avoid well-manicured lawns, especially those with the chemical signage, to prevent them from ingesting harmful chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers.

I hope these tips help keep your pets happy, healthy, safe, and comfy for years to come! As always, let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Stay Comfy,

Tanya