So now the sun is poking its head out from behind fluffy white clouds and welcoming us all to the start of summer. And that means it's time to start taking our well-being a little more seriously - wearing sunscreen and the like.
Photo courtesy of Florida Sportsman
But in addition to keeping ourselves safe and cool, it's also the time when we need to look after our furry old friends. After all, they'll have certainly noticed the rise in heat too! So, with that in mind, we thought we'd bring you some top tips for keeping your pets cool this summer.
Watch For Signs
You know your pet better than anyone; they're part of the family. So watch for any unusual signs of summer discomfort, such as refusing to eat, or increased lethargy. If you think there's a problem, look into it immediately.
Leave the Window Open
Heatstroke is always a danger for pets. This is when the body temperature of your pet rises too high. Prevent heatstroke by always leaving a window open - especially in a car - to allow cool air to circulate.
Give Them Fresh Water
Dehydration is another issue for pets. Just as you'd carry a bottle of water with you while out and about, your pets will appreciate access to liquids too. So make sure you top up their bowls with cool, fresh water regularly. Put ice cubes in there too, to keep the water cooler.
Keep It Shady
Make sure there's at least one room in the house that's both cool, with those windows open, but also has plenty of shade. Make that room as comfortable as possible, as they'll be able to retreat to it whenever it's far too hot. You can always sprinkle water over them too, if you're outside.
Cool Them Off with Pads
Keeping your pet cool isn't just a case of keeping them in the shade, of course. You can also purchase various cooling products like vests and pads. You can even create your own with ice bags.
Walk Dogs at Night
The sun beating down on the pavement all day can turn it into serious hot-spot. That, in turn, can burn the pads of your pets feet. So when walking your dog, do it at night, when both the streets and the air is much cooler.
Stay on the Grass
If you do take your pets out during the day, try to keep them on the grass, rather than those coal-hot pavements.
Crack Out the Pool
OK, you're not going to push your pet into a full-sized swimming pool, but you can still fill up a paddling pool, or start the sprinkler system going. Feed them frozen treats. Not only will the pets appreciate it, but the kids can play with them too.
Groom Them Thoroughly
Your pets are undoubtedly going to be sweating and sweltering on hot days. But you can reduce their overheating simply by grooming them every day. Take a brush and give their fur a good going over, to keep it fluffy and free of tangles. For thicker coats, consider getting it trimmed by a professional.
Play Calmly
Most of the time, your little bundle of furry joy loves bouncing around, right? But in the summer, this may not be such a good idea. So keep them entertained with calmer games that won't have them getting over-excited and over-heated.
Taking care of your pets when the sun's shining does take some work, but it's easy if you know what to do. By simply following our tips, both you and your pet can look forward to a beautiful summer together. We really hope you enjoy it!