Hot Weather Pet Safety Tips

Summer is officially here, especially out here in the Valley where temperatures can get much hotter than the official Vancouver temperature taken at YVR airport. Here are some of our favorite tips to help you keep your pets cool and safe:

• leave out plenty of cool water. For dogs it is fun & hydrating to freeze some treats, fruit or toys in a block of ice. For Cats, ensure that your water bowls have a large opening so their wiskers don't touch the side of the bowl, and put some ice cubes in the water;
• leave your pets at home and keep a fan going for air circulation, also ensure pets have access to the cooler areas of the house;
• brush your pets more frequently, a well-groomed and tangle-free coat will keep your pet cooler;
• overweight, older and pets with medical conditions can have problems with hot weather, so reduce activity;
• complications due to heat is more frequent in long-haired dogs and cats, and short-nosed, flat-faced dogs and cats (e.g. dogs: Pugs, Pekingese, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Shih Tzus; cats: Persian);
• if going for a walk, early morning and late evening is best when it is cool;
• when going for a walk on streets & sidewalks do the asphalt test: take off your shoes & if it's too hot for your feet, it's too hot for your pet. Don't want to slip off your shoes, use the back of your hand;
• lighter-coloured pets can get sunburned, there is special pet-friendly sunscreen for their nose & ear tips; and,

....finally, never, EVER leave your pet in a vehicle on a hot day, not even for a 'few minutes', it is not worth the risk.