What the experts want you to know about your pet’s wellbeing this summer

Weekends at the beach, warm nights and picnics with friends: you might be looking forward to the dog days of summer, but there’s a good chance your four-legged friend isn’t.

For dogs and cats, the heat brings with it a host of wellbeing challenges. Fortunately, there’s much you can do to help your pet stay comfortable.

Soothe their skin

“Spring and summer are the skin allergy seasons, and skin conditions are one of the most common issues dogs will present to the vets with,” says Dr Trish Santos-Smith, in-house vet at PAW by Blackmores.

If your pet’s skin is itchy, red and dry, flea allergy dermatitis and environmental allergies may likely cause.

“If it’s flea related, the fleas will need to be treated, which may assist in the allergy resolving itself,” says Dr Santos-Smith.

“Environmental allergies are a lot trickier as most of the time pet owners don’t exactly know what their pet is allergic to. To start with, it’s important to use low-allergenic shampoo and conditioner that contain ingredients that can help to moisturise the skin as well as soothe it.”

Sunburn can also be an issue for pets, particularly those with white skin and sparse or white fur.

“The best option for these pets is to stay away from the sun and if they are exposed to it, it is definitely advisable for them to wear sunscreen that’s specifically formulated for pets,” suggests Dr Santos-Smith.

Watch the heat

Ever noticed that your pet doesn’t sweat? When the temperature rises, this can be a real problem.

“There’s lots of animals with long-hair coats who can’t thermo-regulate themselves – they can’t sweat or release heat from the body, so they get overheated quite easily,” explains Dr Jeffrey So from RSPCA NSW Sydney Vet Clinic.

“On a 35 to 40-degree day, an animal’s body temperature can go up to over 41 degrees. When that happens, you start having internal damage to the organs.”

Heatstroke is particularly common in overweight dogs and breeds with a short snout, such as pugs and French bulldogs, but it can occur in all pets. Watch out for excessive panting or drooling, bright red or pale gums, and agitation or restlessness.

To counter this, avoid exercising your pet during the heat, and make sure they have access to shade or a cool area indoors.

“I love the idea of a kid’s blow-up pool with a bit of water in a shady area that dogs can lie in if they get hot!” adds Dr Santos-Smith.

Protect their paws

If you’re struggling to walk on pavements barefoot, so is your dog. The skin on their paw pads can sizzle and burn on sun-scorched paths and roads.

“You can buy doggy boots, but some dogs will not like wearing them,” says Dr Santos-Smith. “The best way to avoid burnt paws is to not walk them on hot surfaces on hot days.”

Stick to early morning or afternoon outings when the heat of the day has dissipated.

Keep them watered

Plenty of water is essential for pets in hot conditions – but they might not always remember to drink up.

To encourage reluctant sippers, try soaking wet or dry food and freezing it, suggests Dr So: “This creates an ice block of food, and that takes time for pets to go through, which also keeps them cool and entertained and stimulates their brain.”

Keep plenty of water available throughout the house, too. “On really hot days, place ice cubes in their bowls to keep the water cool and encourage them to drink,” adds Dr Santos-Smith.

Help them stress less

Thunderstorms and the loud popping of fireworks are common on sultry evenings. For some pets, these noises can cause a great deal of stress.

“Make sure they have a safe place, like a bed or crate, where they can go and hide, or give them a bone or treat to give them something to do and keep them distracted. You can also play some classical music in the background,” says Dr So.

If you have a puppy, you can desensitise them to scary sounds by playing the noises at a low volume while giving the animal a reward, and gradually increasing the volume.

“This can help the dog associate good things with the noise,” explains Dr So.

Groom their coats

While dogs and cats will naturally shed their winter coats as the weather warms, you can help keep them cool with grooming.

Book them in for a trim and brush them regularly to remove excess hair. This can also be a good opportunity to check for ticks, which are most common in summer.

“It’s best to look for ticks around the face, the ear folds, between the toes, around the armpits of the animal and around the tail base,” says Dr So.

“Running your fingers against the direction of the hair growth can help you easily find them. And if you do find a tick, remove it and put it in a small jar with some alcohol so the vet can identify if it’s a paralysis tick versus a brown tick.”

Learn more about pet supplements and skincare to help care for your pet this summer from PAW by Blackmores®.