We just got through the worst heat wave to hit So Cal in over a decade but that doesn’t mean we’re home free — and the same goes for our fur babies. Here are our top 5 tips to keep your pet safe this summer!

 

1. Never leave your pet in your car unattended. On a mild 70°F day, it only takes ten minutes for inside temperatures to reach 89°F and after thirty minutes you’re looking at temps in the triple digits.

 

2. Set up shelter, not just from the sun but also from the heat. Think pools, sprinklers, and shady areas with lots of water.

 

3. Avoid walking your pup during peak sun hours. Consider pet booties, wax, or walking in the early morning or evening hours. Check out this post from dogtread.com to see how you can exercise indoors or use the “7 second rule” to test the asphalt.

 

4. Slather on the sunscreen. Dogs who are white, light-colored, and/or short haired are prone to sunburn so be sure to cover them in sunscreen (zinc oxide is toxic to dogs so be sure to find a doggie safe formula), put on their favorite t-shirt or provide shade if you’re going out.

 

5. Know the signs of heatstroke. Get to the vet immediately if you see the following symptoms in your dog/cat:

• Rapid breathing
• Excessive
  panting or drooling
• Vomiting
• Stumbling, unresponsiveness,
  or restlessness
• Seizures

 

Please, remember that our pets can’t perspire like we can and it’s up to us to keep them cool during the summer months. If you’d like to download the infographic above you can do that here (courtesy of Ineedpetcare.com).