Help Keep Your Pet Companions Comfortable During The Summer with These 5 Essential Tips!

The warm weather presents unique challenges for pets, including the pets of those experiencing homelessness with their owners, who face additional hurdles in keeping their pets safe and healthy. Here are our top five tips to help make your pets more comfortable during the sunny season.

1. Summer Coat Care: Keep It Cool and Comfy

Summer grooming is essential for keeping your dogs and cats comfortable and healthy in the heat. Regular grooming can help prevent skin issues and detect problems. Here’s how to manage your pet’s summer coat care:

• Regular Brushing: Brushing your pet frequently removes loose fur, prevents knots and tangles, and improves air circulation through their coat. Daily grooming also helps detect any irregularities such as lumps, bumps, sores, or parasites, ensuring prompt veterinary attention can be sough if needed.

• Summer Cuts: Some dogs (and cats) benefit from a shorter summer cut to stay cooler. Trimming their fur can enhance air circulation and prevent overheating. However, it’s crucial not to shave them too closely, as pets still need some fur to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Consult with your vet or a professional groomer for advice on the ideal length for your dog’s summer haircut.

• Watch Out for Hot Spots: Hot spots, also known as wet eczema (or pyotraumatic dermatitis), are painful, inflamed patches of skin caused by excessive licking or scratching. Breeds with thick undercoats are more susceptible to hot spots due to scratching. Breeds with thick undercoats are susceptible to hot spots due to reduced skin ventilation. Hot and humid weather further increases this risk. These conditions create ideal environments for bacterial growth on the skin, leading to the development of hot spots. If you notice any hot spots on your pet, speak to your vet.

• Grass Seed Vigilance: After exploring outdoors, check your pet’s coat and paws for grass seeds that can burrow into their skin, causing discomfort and potential infections. Regular grooming and keeping their fur trimmed around sensitive areas can help prevent these issues.

2. Parasite Prevention and Flea Management: Stay Ahead of the Pests

Parasites are unfortunately a year-round problem. However, as temperatures rise, so does the prevalence of parasites such as fleas, ticks, and worms, which can bring discomfort and health problems to your pets. At StreetVet, all our patients are given preventative protection against parasites as part of their routine care.

Here’s how to help keep pests at bay:

• Flea Finding: Check your pet regularly for signs like excessive scratching, over grooming, or flea dirt (small black specks in their fur). Even indoor cats can get fleas as fleas can hitchhike into the home on clothing, shoes, or other pets that go outdoors. Remember that flea eggs can lurk in pet bedding, blankets, soft furnishings, carpets and clothing. Wherever possible, wash these items regularly on a hot cycle to eliminate eggs. Routinely treat your pet with a vet-recommended product and as well as regularly vacuuming, use a long-acting household spray to prevent an infestation.

• Preventing Tapeworms: Pets with fleas can develop tapeworms, as they ingest fleas that carry tapeworm eggs. If your pet has had fleas, it’s also advisable to use a worming treatment that covers tapeworms.

• Managing Ticks and Lyme Disease Risks: Beyond fleas and worms, ticks are also prevalent in summer. These carry a number of diseases, but the most common disease affecting both dogs and humans is Lyme Disease. Regular grooming helps detect ticks early, reducing the risk of contracting diseases they might carry. Also, avoid walking your pet in long grass – stick to paths and open spaces instead.

• Speak to Your Vet for Treatment: If you suspect your pet has parasites, speak to your vet. They can recommend an effective and safe treatment plan. Opt for prescription products whenever possible for the best results, as over-the-counter operations from supermarket or the internet may contain less effective ingredients. It’s crucial never to use parasite treatments meant for dogs on your cat, as these often contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats and can be fatal. Always use flea treatments specifically labelled for your pet and double-check the instructions.

3. Microchipping: A Lifeline for Lost Pets

Microchipping is a simple and effective way to ensure lost pets can be reunited with their owners. It’s becoming an essential safety net, especially for those experiencing homelessness who may find it harder to recover a lost or stolen pet.

Here’s what you need to know about microchipping:

• Microchipping Dogs: In the UK, all dogs must be microchipped by law. The chip is a small device placed under the skin that holds a unique number linked to your contact details in a central database.

• Microchipping Cats: If you’re asking, “Do cats need to be microchipped?” the answer is yes! To comply with the new microchipping cat law, starting from June 2024, all pet cats in the UK are required to be microchipped. This measure will help reunite lost cats with their owners more efficiently.

Always keep your information up to date to ensure you’re reachable if your pet goes missing. You can easily update your pet’s microchip details through the microchip provider’s website or contact number.

4. Keeping Your Pet Cool and Hydrated

Pets can easily overheat in the summer, so it’s important to keep them cool and hydrated. Here’s how to help your pet beat the heat:

• Provide Plenty of Water: Make sure your pet always has access to clean, fresh water. In warmer weather, pets can become dehydrated quickly, so encourage them to drink regularly. For pets with owners experiencing homelessness, portable water bowls and bottles are essential for staying hydrated on the go.

• Find Shade and Shelter: When outdoors, create shaded areas where your pet can rest comfortably. Avoid walking or exercising your dog during the hottest times of the day, typically between 10am and 4pm, to prevent the risk of heatstroke. Even in shaded areas, ensure there is adequate ventilation to keep your pet cool.

• Protect Their Paws: Pavements, sand, and other surfaces can become scorching hot in the summer sun, potentially causing burns to your pet’s paw pads. Walk your dog early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Before walking, test the pavement temperature with your hand: if it feels too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog. Consider using booties to protect their paws.

5. Sunburn Protection for Pets

Just like humans, pets can get sunburned, especially those with light-coloured or thin fur. Protecting them from harmful UV rays is crucial in the summer months.

• Use Pet-Safe Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen to vulnerable areas like the nose, ears, and belly. Make sure to use products specifically designed for pets, as human sunscreens can contain ingredients that are toxic to animals.
• Avoid Direct Sunlight: Keep your pet out of direct sunlight during peak hours, typically between 10am and 4pm. Provide plenty of shaded areas for them to rest when outdoors.

From grooming to parasite prevention, and keeping cool in the heat, these tips will help ensure your pet has a safe and enjoyable summer. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health or well-being, speak to your vet. With a little extra care, you and your pet can prepare for the upcoming summer season.

Consider helping StreetVet by making a donation or contributing to their Amazon Wishlists. Every bit of support helps more pets, and their owners enjoy a healthy and happy summer.

If you found these tips helpful, share them with other pet owners. Let’s make this summer safe and fun for all our furry friends!