Summer Pet Safety Guide

Summer fun is better when our pets can safely join in. From staying hydrated to avoiding hot pavement and never leaving pets unattended in vehicles, small safety steps can help prevent emergencies during the warmest months of the year.

Heat Safety

Rising temperatures can bring dangerous situations for our pets. Read these tips to keep your pets healthy, happy, and cool all summer long.

Fireworks Safety

While fireworks are often fun for people, they can cause distress for pets, oftentimes causing them to flee from home. Keep your pets calm and safe using these tips.

Travel Safety

Keeping your pets included in your travel plans ensures your summer activities are joyful and stress-free, as summer should be. Whether your pets will travel with you or stay home, check out these helpful tips.

Heat Safety

Keep pets safe:

  • Keep pets indoors when possible
  • When outside, provide shade and clean water to keep pets cool
  • Time walks in the mornings or evenings when it’s coolest outside, and stick to short walks (preferably in shaded areas)
  • Test the pavement before walking by placing your bare foot down for 7 seconds — if it’s too hot for bare feet, it’s too hot for bare paws
  • Never leave a pet in a hot car — temperatures can become dangerous in just minutes
  • Watch for signs of heat stroke, such as excessive drooling, vomiting, weakness, and bright red gums

 

Keep pets cool:

  • Provide a kiddie pool outdoors for both playtime and a space to keep cool in the heat
  • Make frozen treats — freeze vegetables or place frozen broth cubes in water bowls for a cool, nutritious snack
  • Keep pets entertained indoors — offer fun toys, give frozen stuffed KONGs, hide treats for an indoor “sniffari,” or work on new tricks together

Fireworks Safety

Preparing for fireworks:

  • Well before the holiday, talk to your veterinarian about calming medications if needed
  • Ensure your pet’s microchip is registered and up to date
  • Ensure pets are wearing collars with tags, with your current contact information
    • If your pet’s ID tags are outdated, in a pinch, you can wrap duct tape around their collar and write your phone number on it with a permanent marker
  • Walk or exercise early in the morning before firework celebrations begin
  • Keep pets indoors during firework celebrations, in a calm, comfortable space with access to drinking water
  • Use a sound machine or television to drown out loud celebrations, helping pets to relax

After the firework celebrations:

Travel Safety

Traveling with pets:

  • Ensure your pet’s microchip is registered and up to date
  • Ensure your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations and parasite prevention
  • Research pet-friendly accommodations
  • Provide proper containment for travel (such as a car harness or air-travel crate)
  • Pack your pet’s travel bag, complete with:
    • Medical records, your veterinarian’s information, and contact information for the nearest emergency clinics
    • Regular medications
    • Pet first aid kit
    • An appropriate supply of food and water
    • Your pet’s favorite toys, treats, and bedding
    • Pet waste supplies/materials such as waste bags and litter

Leaving pets at home:

  • Arrange care with a trusted caregiver or boarding facility
  • Ensure your pet’s microchip is registered and up to date
  • Ensure your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations and parasite prevention
  • Pack an emergency bag for your pet, complete with:
    • Medical records, your veterinarian’s information, and contact information for the nearest emergency clinics
    • Regular medications
    • Pet first aid kit
    • An appropriate supply of food and water
    • Your pet’s favorite toys, treats, and bedding
    • Pet waste supplies/materials such as waste bags and litter