How to Keep Pets Cool During Summer (and More!)

How to keep pets cool during summer is a big question this festive season. For one our furry friends don’t sweat the way we do so their temperatures will almost certainly top ours. Then there’s the perpetual fur coat conundrum – even in winter a fur coat can get hot under the collar, but an Australian summer beats the mercury on the dial any day.

And while keeping pets cool in summer is a top priority, there are a couple of other seasonal dangers to be in the know about. Like, for example, swallowing some weird sea creature that looks harmless but is seriously toxic. Or running off while out and about then getting lost.

Not to worry, in this article we share top tips on how to keep pets cool during summer, safe from water dangers and more.

Heat stroke and keeping pets cool in summer

Heat stroke is the top reason to keep pets cool this summer because it occurs as soon as their core temperature goes over 40.5°. You’d be surprised at how fast this happens to cats and dogs in hot cars.

If your pet’s body temperature reaches the 40.5° mark and action isn’t taken to immediately reduce it they can suffer brain damage, organ damage, seizures, blood clots and even death. Because pets can’t simply take off their fur when it’s convenient they’re at higher risk of heat stroke than their human counterparts. Longhaired dogs and cats like a Border Collie or Maine Coon are especially at risk.

Be sure to look out for signs of heatstroke so you can take action. However, as always, prevention is better than cure!

Here’s a list of indicators that a pet may be experiencing heat stroke:

• Excessive panting
• Salivating
• Rapid heart rate
• Bright red gums or tongue
• Dizziness
• Disorientation
• Unsteadiness
• Muscle tremors
• Obvious discomfort
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Seizures

Make sure your pet always has a fresh supply of water, and consider a cooling mat to keep their temperature in check. We’ve sourced some great options for these in our guide to Christmas gifts for pet lovers.

Watch this video of a cool cat making a DIY drinking fountain!

Pet shoes for summer

Pet shoes for summer are a wonderful way to keep their soft and sensitive paws off the hot tarmac. This is because pet paws can easily get burnt from walking on sand, tar or ground that’s hot. Think about it – we go everywhere in shoes yet often walk our pets alongside without a second thought…

While we’re not aware of the ground temperature, our pet’s unclad paws are in direct contact with these surfaces. So a good way to safeguard against this happening is by testing the surface temperature using the back of your hand. If you can keep your hand there for five to 10 seconds without any discomfort it’s fine for pets to go walking on.

Besides pet shoes, another way (an arguably much easier and perhaps comfier way) to protect your pet’s feet is sticking to the shade and grassy areas. Also try to keep pet walks to the early morning and late afternoon to avoid the midday heat.

Swallowing poisonous animals

Accidental ingestion is a common pet parenting concern to keep an eye out for any time of year but summer offers up a new assortment of dangers. What we insurance providers call ‘accidental ingestion’ is when a pet takes it upon themselves to swallow or eat a foreign object that can cause them harm.

It could either be something toxic, be a choking hazard or get lodged in the airway or intestine. Accidental ingestion can cause a host of complications that require immediate medical attention and possibly surgery.

While most of us have heard that rawhide is bad for dogs because of the ingestion risks involved, summer offers us sea snakes, jellyfish, sea slugs and blue bottles. Even sand can be a serious danger if puppo ingests too much of it.

Always take note of what your pet is up on the beach, at the park or by lakeside. Are they sniffing one area and really getting stuck in? They may be getting a little too familiar with a poisonous creature or plant. Unlike people who explore with touch and sight, pets are most likely to smell and pick up an object in their mouth.

If you think your pet has accidentally ingested something poisonous or is choking, get them to your vet as fast as possible.

More pet summer safety tips

Summer is the festive season. While this means a well-deserved holiday, there are some seasonal hazards to consider for pets. Besides keeping pets cool in summer, here’s a quick list of things to protect pets from:

• Dehydration. The heat can very quickly dry or dirty your pet’s drinking water so replenish it often. Cats also don’t have much of a thirst drive (read our article on dry cat food to see why) making them prone to dehydration. Water fountains keep water cool and fresh and can help encourage your cat to drink enough.
• Sunburn. Like people, pets can sunburn too. Pets with light coloured fur and short haired pets get burnt faster. Stay in the shade or consider animal friendly sunscreen.
• Getting lost. Busy beaches, holiday festivities, and bustling holiday destinations put pets at a higher risk of getting lost. Read how to find lost pets and how to find a lost pet on a holiday.
• Drowning. Always keep your pet in a lifejacket on a boat or swimming in the water. The current and under-water obstructions can be unpredictable.
• Parasites. Guard against the deadly paralysis tick with these flea and tick treatments for dogs (and here’s how to remove a tick the right way).
• Fireworks. Read about pet safety and fireworks to give your pet a softer landing against those loud and stressful bangs!

How to keep pets cool in summer with pet insurance

After the last two years of on and off lockdowns and dramas, we all deserve a bit of a break. Remove the stress of keeping your pet safe this summer by having a great pet insurance plan. Our pawsome cat insurance and dog insurance plans will help cover medical costs like tests and treatments by your vet, medication and even hospitalisation (and so much more)!

But that’s not all, buy online today and your furst month is free – why wait a moment longer, click below: