(BPT) – There’s no better summer companion than your furry, four-legged friend. From sunshine and beach days to playing fetch at the park, summer is the perfect season to bond with your pet. Keep in mind that higher temperatures come with higher precautions for pet owners. Here are four helpful tips to keep your pet safe this summer.
Protect Paws. Warm weather means more walks and outdoor fun, which your pet is sure to want to join in on. While tons of fun for your furry BFF, hot walks can lead to burns on sensitive paw pads. Because pets absorb heat from the bottom up, it’s important to try to keep them off hot surfaces like cement and asphalt, as the heat can increase their body temperatures and cause overheating. If possible, try taking your dog on walks in shaded or grassy areas, or opt for earlier or later walk times. If your pet has protective booties, they’ll be even more prepared to seize the day.
Prevent Sunburns. The summer season can also be synonymous with sunburns. Long days soaking up the sun can come with unwanted consequences if prevention isn’t practiced. Surprisingly, pets get sunburns just like people do, if they aren’t properly protected – especially pets with short hair or light coats. These sunburns are equally as dangerous for pets as they are for us. If your pet will be out in the sun for more than just a few minutes, apply a sunscreen that’s made for pets in their least hair-covered spots, including their stomach, ears and nose. Pet sunscreens should be fragrance free, non-staining, and contain UVA and UVB barriers similar to sunscreens for humans. Pets should have their sunscreen reapplied every 3-4 hours.
Refreshing Routines. Just as humans can prefer lighter snacks during the summer, pets also prefer to switch up their diets to reflect their energy levels, and should always have fresh, clean drinking water available. Feeding pets in a cool place provides extra comfort, but it’s also recommended to provide sources of protein and nutrients through ingredients such as liver, cage-free eggs, wild-caught fish and kelp, all found in formulas of ORIJEN dry food for dogs. Developed with WholePrey ratios of fresh or raw animal ingredients to mirror the natural diets that dogs have evolved to eat, pets can thrive in a summer setting as they would in the wild.
Avoid Overheating. Along with protecting paw pads and sensitive skin, pet owners can never be too cautious in ensuring that their pets keep cool in the warmer months. While dogs don’t sweat like humans do to show they are getting too hot, they show signs of overheating and dehydration by excessively panting and drooling. Always bring a water bottle along for pets when going outside and be mindful of their breaks to keep them happy and hydrated. Many pet lovers shave their pets for the summer to keep their temperatures down, but they are best off only getting a trim, as their coats are designed to keep them cool and a full shave can lead to potential sunburns.
