Ensure this beach season is fun and fatality-free by keeping up to date with the latest summer pet safety tips.

Sure, summer can bring long dog walks at the beach and refreshing ocean swims with your barking buddy by your side. However, if we’re not careful, summer can spell danger for pets.

So, to avoid a potential catastrophe, make sure you know how to keep your pet safe and out of harm’s way as we head into Aussie summertime.

Pet dangers to watch out for

Hello, summer! While most of us love summer, there’s no denying it can be dangerous for our beloved pets. Yes, days at the beach, afternoons by the pool and evenings spent outdoors are fun; but they can threaten the health of your pet.

To ensure your pet stays well this summer, make sure you’re aware of the common risks. Here are a few factors to consider when it comes to summer pet safety.

HEAT

The Animal Welfare League is reminding pet parents that extreme summer temperatures can be deadly, or even fatal, for dogs, cats and other pets. In fact, heatstroke tops the list when it comes to common summer pet dangers. To help keep your pet safe from heat-related conditions, here are a few things to remember.

  • Always make certain your pet has access to fresh water and shade.
  • Avoid exercising your dog during the heat of the day. Instead opt for cooler times, such as early morning or in the evening.
  • Paddling pools can be useful for helping dogs to cool down during hot summer days. Just be careful if you have little ones around; adhere to the general safety rules.
  • Remember footpaths and roads can reach extremely high temperatures when the sun has been blaring down on them all day. It’s not uncommon for dogs to burn their paws when walking on hot surfaces.
  • NEVER leave your pet in the car unattended – even with the windows ajar!
  • Be mindful that senior dogs may struggle more than younger dogs in the heat. As such, keep a close eye on them and watch for unusual behaviour.

OTHER ANIMALS

Snake bites are common in summer and the last thing you want is to be rushing your dog to the vet. To protect the health of your dog and avoid a costly vet bill, be on the lookout for snakes and keep your dog away from long grasses.

Of course, making absolutely certain your four-legged friend never encounters a snake is impossible, so it pays to know the signs of a snake bite. Recognising the symptoms will increase the chances of getting your dog quick medical attention.

According to the RSPCA, signs of a snake bite include:

  • Sudden weakness followed by collapse
  • Shaking or twitching of the muscles and difficulty blinking
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of bladder and bowel control
  • Dilated pupils
  • Paralysis
  • Blood in urine

Aside from snakes, there are other creatures that pose a risk to the health of your pet. Indeed, ingesting a toxic creature can lead to an array of unpleasant symptoms.

Sure, dogs love to eat bits of dry fish from the shoreline but it’s important to deter them from doing so. Ingesting rotten sea life, such as blowfish, sea slugs and blue-ringed octopus, can be toxic to your barking buddy.

Once again, it’s important to be aware of the signs of poisoning and be ready to take immediate action.

WATER

Backyard pools, the ocean and rivers can be a godsend on a hot summer’s day. However, when it comes to summer pet safety, they can also pose a big danger.

Even if your dog loves to swim, it is important they are supervised. Particularly with regards to rivers and backyard pools, as getting in may be easier than getting out for them. Plus, don’t let your pet drink pool water – it can be toxic!

Furthermore, some dogs simply don’t like the water, so never force your dog to take a swim.

THE SUN

It’s easy to forget that dogs can get sunburned. In particular, dogs with bald patches, light skin or short coats may need sunscreen. As a responsible pet parent, it’s important to carry pet sunscreen with you on your daily walks, or at least apply it before heading out. This is the best action you can take, as well as staying in the shade as much as possible, to decrease your pet’s chances of obtaining a fatal skin disease.

There’s no denying summer can be a heap of fun for the whole family, but it pays to take steps to stay safe. When thinking about summer pet safety, you might want to check to see if you have pet insurance and remind yourself of what is covered.

After all, the last thing you want is to be presented with a large pet medical bill only to discover your insurance policy has expired or you never had one in the first place!

Wishing you a safe summer!