Hot weather can be fun to enjoy with our furry companions, but it’s important to remember your pet’s needs in warmer weather. Humans can choose to go inside or seek shade if it’s hot out, but pets don’t always have that option.
“Our pets often depend on us to make those choices for them,” says BC SPCA manager of animal welfare Kim Monteith.
Tips for summer pet safety
- Pavement: If you regularly jog or bike with your dog, be conscious of when you’re doing it. If it’s a hot day, the pavement can get very hot for your pet’s feet.
- Exercising: Choose to exercise with your dog earlier in the morning or later in the evening when it’s cooler reducing the chances of your pet getting heatstroke.
- Outdoor excursions: When hiking, camping, or going to the beach, make sure you bring along a water bowl and water for your pet as well as an umbrella for shade. Use towel to both dry off your pet and to give them an option of a place to lie down that’s not scorching hot.
- Cool Down: Freeze favourite food or treats, such as Kongs, or ice cubes with chicken broth, or try freezing a variety of toys and treats inside one big ice cube. Investing in a kiddie pool for your pup and fill of cool water for your furry friend to enjoy and play in.
- Is your pet ok? Ensure your pet is actually having a good time outside in the heat and is able to get out of the sun in a nice shaded area.
- Pets in cars: If you go out in the car, leave your pet at home rather than in a hot vehicle, where it can take as little as 10 minutes for a pet to suffer irreparable brain damage or even death.
“Make sure they really are having a good time outside and are able to get out of the sun,” she says. “And if you go out, leave them at home – leaving them in a car, even if it’s in the shade with windows rolled down, can lead to heatstroke or worse in just minutes. Leaving them at home in a cool areas is the kindest thing to do.”
Learn more
