Summer Tips for Modern Pet Lovers

We all know the Las Vegas summers are brutal for us and it's sometimes even worse for our pets. They don't sweat like we do so the extreme heat is far more challenging for them. Here are a few tips to help your pets through the summer!

Hydration

As a rule of thumb, dogs require 0.5 - 1.0 ounce of water per pound of body weight and cats require 3.5 - 4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight. If your pet does not drink enough water by itself, you can always add water to their food or give them bone broths or goat's milk to assist in their hydration needs. For cats in particular, you want to ensure you serve wet foods with a high moisture content so their hydration needs can be met that way. You also want to ensure you regularly wash your pet's water bowls/fountains as the heat contributes towards harmful bacteria buildup.

Feel free to use molds to create frozen treats for your pets. You can get creative with the options here. We love to freeze bone broth and hydration aids (almost like a sugar-free Gatorade) and place out for our dogs. You can puree fruits or use yogurts as well.

Exercise

Even in the summer season, we want to ensure our pets get their needed exercise to cut down on destructive behaviors. I like to walk my pets early in the morning. Outside of the summer, my pets get two 30-minute walks per day and in the summer, they get one longer, 45-minute walk in the morning. In the evening, I like to give them additional tasks to keep them occupied and their minds engaged. We do various training activities, create foraging opportunities around the house, play hide and seek, and use hydrating treats as rewards.

Of course, we can't all walk our pets first thing in the morning or late in the evening. With that, you may consider going to a park where there is plenty of grass so their paws are not on concrete. You can use awesome tools like cooling collars and bandanas to help them regulate their temperatures. Also, finding properly fitting shoes can do wonders for assisting your pets in getting their daily steps in!

Feeding

Considering food energetics for pets, there are proteins that are highly recommended for use in the summer. These cooling proteins also help pets that suffer from inflammation or allergies. Duck, rabbit and whitefish foods are fantastic for this purpose. If your pet cannot have one of those proteins, there are also neutral proteins such as beef, bison, pork and salmon. As much as possible, we want to avoid warming proteins such as chicken, turkey and lamb during this time of year. There is nothing wrong with having these proteins for treats, but we want to make their primary source of food a cooling or neutral protein as much as possible.

Cars

Please, do not leave your pets in your cars, even with the windows open. Closed vehicles with no air conditioning is incredibly dangerous for our pets.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke occurs in our pets when their temperature reaches over 104 degrees. It is genuinely a life threatening condition and requires immediate treatment. Some signs of heatstroke include excessive panting, bright red or pale gums, difficulty walking, collapsing, and seizures. Immediate treatment should include getting your pet to an air-conditioned space or shaded area and offering them cool (but not ice cold) water. You can use wet towels on their bodies and should contact your vet as soon as possible.

Conclusion

The summer in Las Vegas does not mean our pets can't enjoy themselves! Paying attention to their diets and hydration needs sets a great foundation for summer pet care. Grab enrichment toys and puzzles to keep your pets engaged when they cannot go outside. Do not leave your pets in your vehicles and pay attention to signs of heatstroke.