In the Maritimes we have hot and humid summers which can lead to heat exhaustion in humans, but we often forget about our furry counterparts. They are prone to heat exhaustion as well – wearing a fur coat all day can make it hard to stay cool in the summer. Here are some tips to keep your pets cool:
- Fresh, cold water: Make sure your pets have access to fresh cool water. Now this sounds like an obvious point, however it’s important to remember to put extra bowls around, and in places that you wouldn’t necessarily think of. Place a couple ice cubes in the dish of water in the morning prior to leaving for work, freeze a water bottle half full of water to use for walks (keeps the water cool for the whole walk), and always have a bowl of fresh, cold water in your backyard to ensure they can stay hydrated when outside. Side Note: Plan your walks during the cooler parts of the day, this will help keep them cooler throughout the walk.
- Sun/heat exposure: Remember not to let your pets out for extended periods of time on those really hot days. This doesn’t tend to be an issue with dogs, but we forget about our outdoor kitties. They’ll want to go out, but may not have access to fresh water or proper cool shaded areas. It’s best to keep them inside on those really hot days. And of course… do not leave your pets (or children!) in hot cars. We would like to think this is common knowledge now, but it still happens on a regular basis.
- Keep your home cool: This is a two-fold one as it will help keep you cool as well. Ensure that when you leave for work you leave the blinds/curtains closed to block out direct sunlight, have at least 1 fan (or heat pump/air conditioner, whatever you prefer) running to circulate air while you are gone, or have two windows open to create a cross draft. This will help to keep your home relatively cool for your pets when you’re not around.
- Grooming: Having your thick/long coated pets groomed by a properly trained professional can help keep them cool. They will know to remove the undercoat, remove any mats and trim the hair shorter. You do not want to shave your pets completely as their coats can act as an insulator to keep your pet cooler, and will also prevent the chance of sunburn.
Written by Blair Lutes
