- May 14, 2024
5 Essential Tips For Pets in the Summer
5 Essential Tips for Pet Safety During UAE Summers
As the summer heat descends upon the UAE, it’s not just humans who need to take precautions against the high temperatures. Our pets, with their sensitive paws and thick coats, also require extra special care to ensure they stay safe and comfortable during the hottest months of the year. Here’s our five essential tips to help keep your dogs and cats cool and safe this summer.
Keeping Pets Cool and Hydrated
Just like us, our fur kids need to stay cool and hydrated to beat the heat. Make sure your furry friends have access to fresh, clean water at all times. Consider placing multiple water bowls around your home and replenishing them regularly. Close your curtains or blinds to keep the sun out. This will help keep your pets cool and your home too. Preventing dehydration in pets is very important and will help reduce chances of heat stroke. Make sure you know the signs of heatstroke in pets and what to do should this happen. Signs of heatstroke in pets include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, rapid heartbeat, and collapse. If you suspect your dog or cat is suffering from heatstroke, immediately move them to a cool shaded area, dampen their fur with cool (not cold) water and seek immediate emergency veterinary care as soon as possible. Heatstroke in pets can be life-threatening if left untreated. You can find our list of emergency vets here.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR PETS IN PARKED CARS
This cannot be stressed enough – never leave your pets unattended in parked cars even if you have your car engine still on and the AC blowing, even for a short period of time. The temperature inside a parked car can skyrocket within minutes, posing a sever risk of heatstroke and even death. Your AC could stop working, or you could accidentally get locked out of your car. If your dog gets collected for day care, please check with your day care provider that there is more than one person picking up and dropping off dogs under their supervision. Make sure that the transport to and from day care is fully equipped with AC and that there is a comprehensive register taken to make sure all dogs are counted for when entering and exiting the vehicle from all locations.
Time Your Walks Wisely
A rule that we always abide by is – if it’s too hot for you to walk bare footed, it’s too hot for your pets to walk. Asphalt and concrete and get extremely hot and can burn your pet’s paw pads. Avoid walking your pets during the hottest parts of the day when temperatures are at their peak. Instead, opt for early morning or late evening walks when the weather is cooler. Try cooling vests and boots for your dogs which will give them paw pad protection and help protect them against the heat. Always carry a bottle of water to help keep your dog hydrated and cool. Walk in shaded areas and on grass where possible. If you hire someone to walk your dogs whilst you are busy, please make sure they are given instructions on when to walk them and what to take with them.
Don’t Leave Your Pets Unattended Outside
It may sound like common sense, however, last year we saw numerous reports of dogs being left outside in the scorching heat. Even with shaded areas, the summer months in the UAE are too hot for dogs to be left outside unattended. If you live in an apartment, do not leave your pets on the balcony. If you live in a townhouse or villa, do not leave your pets outside. Always make sure that gardens are secured and gates and doors are kept closed.
Emergency Pet Care UAE
Accidents can happen and as pet parents it’s our duty of care to make sure we have as much information and knowledge to help keep our pets safe. Know the signs of heatstroke in pets and familiarise yourself with your nearest vets (even if they’re not your registered vet) and which vets are open for emergencies and available 24/7. Here is our lost of emergency pet care in Dubai.
How we help keep pets safe in the UAE
If your pet goes missing in the UAE during the summer, chances of surviving without water in the heat is slim. It is so important to safeguard your pets and the easiest way to do this is with a pet ID tag. Pet tags are an important accessory that every dog and cat should wear at all times, you can find ours here. If your pet goes missing, time is critical and getting the word out there as soon as possible could help save their life. Be part of our community today by registering your pet for FREE on our pet safety app and helps us keep pets safer in the UAE.
- Carlie
- May 14, 2024
- 5:43 pm