Summer is a wonderful time of year filled with sunny days, vacations, and outdoor fun. But as temperatures rise, remember that your furry friend needs extra care to stay safe and comfortable in the heat. At The Wagging Club, your pet’s well-being is our priority, especially during the scorching summer months. To help your four-legged friend stay comfortable, our team shares essential heat safety tips for pet owners.

Understanding heat risks for pets

Unlike people, pets do not sweat through their skin to cool down. Instead, they rely on panting and heat dissipation through their paw pads to stay cool. This makes it harder for them to regulate their body temperature, which puts them at risk for heatstroke, dehydration, and burns from hot surfaces.

Recognizing heatstroke in pets

A pet’s normal body temperature typically ranges between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Heatstroke is a serious condition classified as an increased body temperature above 104 degrees. Without prompt treatment, heatstroke can cause organ failure and ultimately prove fatal. Heatstroke signs to watch for include:

  • Heavy, excessive panting or difficulty breathing
  • Thick, ropey drool
  • Lethargy or weakness
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Lack of coordination
  • Elevated heart rate
  • Collapse
  • Seizures

If you notice any of these signs, move your pet to a cooler area, offer them water, and contact your veterinarian immediately.

Heat safety tips for pet owners

You can keep your pet cool through several preventive measures, such as:

  • Providing water — Hydration is key to warding off heat-related illnesses in your pet. Provide plenty of fresh, clean water in various places around your home and yard so your furry pal always has water nearby.
  • Avoiding midday exercise — Temperatures reach their peak around 2 p.m., so avoid heading outdoors to play and exercise during late morning and early afternoon. 
  • Leaving your pet at home — When running errands, leave your pet at home to soak up the air conditioning. The temperature inside a parked car can rise rapidly and become deadly within minutes.
  • Staying off hot surfaces — Pavement, asphalt, and sand can become extremely hot and burn your pet’s paw pads. If you can’t hold the back of your hand on the ground for 10 seconds, the surface is too hot for your pet to comfortably stand on. Seek shaded paths or grass instead.
  • Creating cool spaces — Create cool, shaded areas inside your home and outdoors using fans, cooling mats, and pop-up canopies.

Summer fun at The Wagging Club

At The Wagging Club, we understand the importance of keeping pets cool and entertained during the summer. That’s why we’ve created a summer paradise for our day care and boarding guests, complete with a pool and splash pad!

The pool: A pawsome oasis

Our custom-designed pool is perfect for dogs who love to swim. Swimming is not only a great way for dogs to cool off, but it also provides excellent exercise, which can improve their cardiovascular health without putting stress on their joints. Our pool is supervised by trained staff to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all our four-legged swimmers.

The splash pad: Fun for all sizes

For dogs who prefer to stay on their paws but still want to enjoy the water, our splash pad is a fantastic option. The pad’s gentle fountains and sprayers allow dogs to play, chase, and splash to their heart’s content. It’s a great way for pets to socialize, exercise, and stay cool under the summer sun.

Visit The Wagging Club and see how we make summer safe and enjoyable for our furry guests. Whether your four-legged friend is staying with us for the day or boarding while you’re on vacation, they’ll have a blast in our cool, refreshing facilities. Give us a call to reserve their spot.