We’re nearing all vibes summery and bright, so let’s make sure we’re prepared for a cool pet summer! Here are the top ways to keep our fur-babies as calm and chilled as we hope our holiday plans will be:
South Africa (03 November 2024) — When summer comes round, so do better vibes and all the best reasons to enjoy time outside. But, with Climate Change and Global Warming to consider in our summer planning, it’s safe to say that we won’t be preparing for fun in the sun as we once knew it.
While humans have a lot more resources at our disposal to keep cool, pets don’t. So, for all the fur-parents in our readership, we’re sharing top tips on keeping pets calm, cool and collected this summer in all ways simple. Never mind hot girl summer, this is cool pet summer!
Hydration Please!
The enemy of cool pet summer is dehydration. Keep the vibes immaculate by making sure your pet always has access to fresh, cool water. This means ensuring their water bowls are covered by shade and making sure you’re refilling the bowls frequently in the same way many of us hope our cocktail glasses will be refilled frequently.
Exercise During Peak Heat isn’t Cute
We know, we know. Your pet’s working on their summer body. But unfortunately for even the most active animal, over-doing exercise on a particularly hot day just isn’t a good idea.
Be the personal trainer your pet will love by ensuring they exercise during the cooler parts of the day. Replace those midday walks with evening strolls (or any time when the weather is cooler) and make sure that when you do walk, the road or pavement has cooled down (you don’t want a pet with heat-impacted paws or heat stroke).
Shady Baby
Your pet needs to have a cool and shaded spot to chill. You wouldn’t brave the beach for hours without some form of shade, so you can’t expect your pet to be fine chilling outside with nowhere to cool down.
Similarly, pets who spend a lot of time indoors need to have ventilation. And in case anyone needed a reminder, never leave your pet in a parked car even if it’s just for a few minutes!
Be the Eyes and Ears of Cool Pet Summer
Even if you’re doing everything right, you still need to keep your eyes alert and ears perked for signs of heatstroke. Some indicators include excessive panting, drooling vomiting or lethargy.
If you become aware that something is off, ensure you move your pet to a nice cool place immediately and get veterinary help ASAP.
A Cool Cut
We all want to look our best during summer. But for your pet, regular grooming has more merit than just looking aesthetic.
Regular grooming is key to helping your pet beat the heat; especially for long-haired breeds.
But, before you grab the scissors, get professional advice from a groomer or vet. This is because certain breed’s coats actually act as protection against sunburn.
Prevent the Haters (Parasites)
Fleas, ticks and other parasites aren’t afraid to get out and about during summer and many of them are making a beeline for your pet. Get your vet’s advice and make sure you’ve got their stamp of approval on parasite prevention products.
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