Keeping Pets Safe in the Florida Heat
During summer, you may have extra time to walk your four-legged friend through your Riverview, Apollo Beach, or Southshore neighborhood, hike the nature preserve, or simply toss the ball in the backyard together.
You know you need to cover yourself with sunscreen and refill your cup often, but itβs not uncommon to forget that our pets need extra help in the summer, too. The Florida heat can be brutal β and our four-legged friends rely on us to keep them safe, cool, and hydrated. Read on for some of the best ways to keep your pets safe in the sun this summer.
5 Ways to Keep Your Pets Safe in the Florida Heat
Brush and Groom Your Pets
Hopefully, you already groom your pets regularly, but did you know it can help them avoid heat exhaustion? When pets have excess or matted fur, their bodies have a more challenging time releasing heat and may overheat more quickly.
Brush your pet at least every few days to release extra hair. If someone grooms your pet for you, ask them about using special hair-releasing techniques that can keep your pup feeling cooler.
One word of caution: grooming and brushing your pet can help them stay cool in the Florida heat, and you may want to shave all your dogβs hair β but donβt. Although it seems counterintuitive, pet fur β especially dogsβ β can perfectly regulate their body temperature in both the hot and the cold. Keeping your petβs coat brushed and groomed is the best way to help your fur buddyβs fur do its job!
Provide Lots of Shade from the Florida Heat
Whether spending the day at home with your precious pal or heading out for an adventure, you have one critical objective- find shade.
If your backyard does not have adequate shade, consider using umbrellas or tarps to create shady areas. On the other hand, if youβre taking your dog out and about, plan to take lots of breaks in the shade. Research the area ahead of time, or just stay on the lookout for trees and overhangs where you and your pup can cool down.
Keep Ice, Water, and Frozen Treats on Hand
Did you ever see the episode of Friends where Monica puts Phoebe in charge of cups and ice at Rachelβs birthday party? Consider yourself Phoebe. Itβs your job to find the most creative ways to keep your dog hydrated. Here are a few ideas that span beyond water and ice that might entice your dog to intake more fluid:
- Water down their kibble. You can ensure they get a little extra dose of H2O by adding just enough water to soak the kibble.
- Offer frozen chicken broth. If ice isnβt appealing enough, some flavor may get them interested. Choose a broth, however, that doesnβt have any added salt, onion, or garlic (onion and garlic are highly toxic to dogs and potentially fatal).
- Make a dog smoothie. Blend up some strawberries, bananas, ice, and plain unsweetened yogurt. Freeze the mixture in an ice cube tray, and youβll have a delicious and healthy tasty cold treat you might even be tempted to eat yourself! Search for frozen pet treats on Google, Pinterest, or even TikTok, and youβll find more chilly recipes.
Thankfully, we have a lot of prepared options when it comes to cold or frozen treats for our loyal pals. Ice cream, coffee shops, and grocery stores often have Pup Cups β usually a small amount of ice cream or whipped cream in a cup). So, if youβre on-the-go or spending a summer weekend at a Tampa Bay area beach, a hydrating treat is probably around the corner.
Avoid the Hottest Times of the Day
Weβre fortunate to have plenty of pet-friendly outdoor spaces throughout Apollo Beach, Riverview, Ruskin, Gibsonton, and other Southshore areas. But when the heat index is above 100Β°, we must be mindful of our furry companions.
If you plan to play, walk, or run with your dog outside, aim for the early morning or late evening hours. We experience the highest temperatures of the day between noon and 3:00 PM.
But itβs not just the air temperature at its peak during this time. Itβs also the ground.
You also have to consider that your dogβs feet will be in contact with the pavement, which can be up to 60 degrees hotter than the air temperature! That means the pavement can be scorching even on a perfect, sunshiny Florida fall day in the mid-70s. Set your dog up for a successful and comfortable day outdoors by staying as far out of that window as possible. If you must walk during the heat of the day, stay on the grass or sand near the water (if youβre in a coastal area). Paw wax can also add an extra layer of protection against the blazing Florida heat.
Watch for Signs of Heat Distress
Despite taking all the precautions, your pet may still experience heat distress. Keep an eye on your pet as you play or walk together. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms your pet may display if the heat is too much. A change in gum color, excessive drooling or lack of drooling, or shaking are a few red flags. You can read about more signs of heat distress in dogs in one of our previous blogs. Prevention is the best medicine, but if you see any heat distress signs, weβd strongly recommend you head to your nearest emergency vet immediately. Overheating can have serious long-term consequences, so let a professional guide your pupβs care.
Need a Trusted Partner for Your Family and Pet?
Keeping pets safe in the summer heat can be difficult, but itβs essential to their overall health and well-being. If youβd like to hire an expert to release your dogβs energy while staying safe outside or give you peace of mind as you enjoy your summer vacation, give us a call today. Our expert team (aka our pack!) can not only help your dog survive in Florida’s heat, but we can help them thrive year-round.
