Summer is a fun time for everyone, but it can also be a particularly dangerous time for your pets. As professional pet groomers in Sahuarita, we here at Wags & Whiskers Pet Salon know this all too well. That’s why we compiled a batch of pet summer safety tips to help you keep your dogs, cats, and rabbits cool and comfy all summer long:
Pet Summer Safety Tip 1: Water!
Making sure your pet has plenty of fresh, clean water is the top summer safety tip, and that doesn’t only apply here in Southern Arizona’s extreme heat. Pets can dehydrate quickly in hot, humid weather anywhere in the world. Make sure your dogs, cats, and rabbits have constant access to fresh, clean water. Keep water cool by adding ice cubes to your dog or cat’s water dish or your rabbit’s water bottle.
Pet Safety Tip 2: Cool Environment
Your pets should always have shady areas when outdoors so they can keep cool. Even with the proper shade, however, not every pet should even be outdoors in hot weather in the first place. Some pets do much better indoors in the air conditioning than they do out in the heat.
Rabbits can start to overheat in temperatures above 77 degrees. Pets that are overweight, elderly or suffering from lung or heart disease can also overheat rapidly. Persian cats, pugs, and other animals with flat faces cannot pant as effectively, which puts them at a higher risk of heat stroke. Keep those fur babies indoors in the air conditioning if possible.
Summer Pet Safety Tip 3: Grooming
Regular trips to the groomer can help you ensure that your pets are healthy and pest-free. The groomer will thoroughly clean and brush the animal’s coat while checking for signs of illness, fleas, and ticks. The groomer can also make sure there are no heat rashes or other skin problems that could ruin your pet’s summer fun. Be sure to schedule regular grooming sessions so your pet looks and feels its best all season.
Pet Safety Tip 4: Signs of Overheating
A final summer safety tip for pets is to be aware of the signs of overheating. This ensures you can take immediate action. Signs of overheating in dogs, cats, and rabbits can include:
· Fast, shallow breathing or excessive panting
· Increased heart rate
· Drooling or excessive wetness around the nose
· Weakness, listlessness, or collapse
Additional signs in rabbits can include hot ears or tossing their heads back as they breathe rapidly through their mouths.
If your pet shows signs of overheating, immediately move them into a cool area out of the sun, give them cool water to drink, and call a vet for further instructions.
These summer safety tips for pets can help ensure summer is truly a fun time for all. Your dog, cat or rabbit can even more fun with a comfy summer haircut. Contact us for a grooming appointment today.