Tips for your outdoor pets for hot stormy Summer Season

[Windwalker]

 

Caring for outdoor pets during the hot and stormy months requires special attention to ensure their safety, comfort, and well-being. These conditions can pose serious risks, including heatstroke, dehydration, and anxiety from severe weather. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to effectively care for your outdoor pets during these challenging times.

 

1. Provide Adequate Shelter

a. Shade and Cooling:

• Permanent Structures: Ensure pets have access to well-ventilated shelters that provide consistent shade. This could be a sturdy doghouse, barn, or shaded patio area.
• Portable Solutions: Use tarps, umbrellas, or portable canopies to create additional shaded areas if permanent structures are not available.
• Cooling Mats: Place cooling mats or pads inside shelters to help regulate your pet's body temperature.

b. Weatherproofing:

• Insulation: Insulate shelters to keep them cooler during hot days and warmer during storms.
• Elevated Floors: Raise shelters off the ground to prevent flooding and increase airflow.
• Sturdy Construction: Ensure shelters are wind-resistant and securely anchored to withstand strong winds.

2. Ensure Access to Fresh Water

a. Hydration:

• Multiple Water Sources: Place several water bowls in different locations to ensure your pet always has access to water.
• Clean Water: Change the water frequently to keep it clean and cool. Consider using water bowls with filters.
• Automatic Waterers: Invest in automatic waterers or fountains to provide a continuous supply of fresh water.

b. Ice Additions:

• Ice Cubes: Add ice cubes to water bowls to keep the water cool longer.
• Frozen Treats: Create frozen pet-safe treats that can provide both hydration and a cooling effect.

3. Manage Heat Exposure

a. Avoid Peak Heat:

• Schedule Activities: Limit outdoor activities to early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler.
• Rest Periods: Ensure your pet takes frequent breaks in shaded or cool areas during playtime.

b. Cooling Methods:

• Wet Towels: Lay wet towels or cloths for pets to lie on.
• Sprinklers and Pools: Provide access to sprinklers, kiddie pools, or shallow water containers for pets to cool off.
• Fans: Use battery-operated or solar-powered fans in shelters to increase airflow.

4. Monitor for Heat-Related Illnesses

a. Recognize Symptoms:

• Heatstroke Signs: Watch for signs like excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, and uncoordinated movements.
• Immediate Action: If you suspect heatstroke, move the pet to a cooler area immediately, provide cool (not cold) water, and seek veterinary care.

b. Regular Checks:

• Health Monitoring: Regularly check your pet’s temperature and overall health during hot weather.
• Preventive Visits: Schedule veterinary check-ups before the hot season to ensure your pet is in good health.

5. Storm Preparation

a. Safe Havens:

• Secure Areas: Identify safe, secure areas where your pet can stay during storms, away from potential hazards like falling branches or flying debris.
• Comfort Items: Place familiar items such as blankets, toys, and clothing with your scent in the safe area to help soothe your pet.

b. Anxiety Management:

• Calming Aids: Use calming products such as Thundershirts, pheromone diffusers, or natural supplements to reduce anxiety.
• Noise Masking: Play calming music or use white noise machines to mask the sound of thunder.

6. Emergency Preparedness

a. Evacuation Plan:

• Plan Ahead: Have an evacuation plan that includes your pets. Know the pet-friendly shelters and hotels in your area.
• Go-Bag: Prepare a pet emergency kit with food, water, medications, first aid supplies, and important documents.

b. Identification:

• ID Tags and Microchips: Ensure your pet has up-to-date identification tags and is microchipped. Register the microchip and keep contact information current.

7. Adjust Diet and Exercise

a. Nutritional Needs:

• Hydrating Foods: Incorporate wet food or add water to dry food to increase hydration.
• Smaller Meals: Feed smaller, more frequent meals to avoid overexertion from digestion.

b. Exercise Routines:

• Cooler Times: Exercise your pet during cooler parts of the day to prevent overheating.
• Indoor Activities: On extremely hot or stormy days, engage your pet in indoor activities like puzzle toys, fetch in a hallway, or interactive games.

8. Grooming and Skin Care

a. Coat Maintenance:

• Regular Grooming: Regularly brush and trim your pet’s coat to prevent matting and overheating. However, avoid shaving double-coated breeds as their fur protects them from heat.
• Bathing: Bathe your pet with pet-safe shampoos to keep their skin healthy and cool.

b. Skin Protection:

• Paw Care: Protect your pet’s paws from hot pavement by walking them on grass or shaded paths. Use paw wax or booties if necessary.
• Sun Protection: Apply pet-safe sunscreen to areas with less fur coverage, like the nose and ears, to prevent sunburn.

9. Pest Control

a. Fleas and Ticks:

• Preventive Treatments: Use vet-recommended flea and tick preventatives regularly.
• Regular Checks: Inspect your pet’s coat and skin frequently for signs of fleas, ticks, or other pests.

b. Environment:

• Yard Maintenance: Keep your yard mowed and free of debris where pests can hide.
• Natural Repellents: Consider using natural pest repellents like diatomaceous earth or essential oil sprays, ensuring they are safe for pets.

10. Special Considerations for Different Types of Pets

a. Dogs:

• Breeds: Be aware of breed-specific needs. For example, brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs are more prone to heatstroke.
• Exercise: Adjust exercise intensity based on your dog’s age, health, and breed.

b. Cats:

• Outdoor Cats: Ensure they have safe access to shaded areas and fresh water. Provide climbing structures or high perches for safety during storms.
• Heat Sensitivity: Monitor outdoor cats closely as they may not show signs of distress until it’s severe.

c. Small Mammals and Birds:

• Enclosures: Ensure cages or enclosures are placed in shaded, well-ventilated areas.
• Temperature Control: Use frozen water bottles or ceramic tiles in cages for small mammals to lie on. For birds, consider misting them lightly with water.

Conclusion

Caring for outdoor pets during hot and stormy months involves a combination of preparation, vigilance, and proactive measures. By providing adequate shelter, ensuring constant access to fresh water, managing heat exposure, preparing for storms, and monitoring your pet's health, you can help your furry, feathered, or scaled friends stay safe and comfortable. Always tailor care strategies to the specific needs of your pet and consult with a veterinarian for personalized advice.

Place cooling mats or pads inside shelters to help regulate your pet's body temperature.

 

-Ron
 

[Laidback]

Good tips Ron.   One thing that I would add is security when your not there all the time, or have to leave the pet alone.  When we lived on our acreage,  our neighbors down the road used to leave their large acreage dog loose when they went to work or went to the city.   He was a big friendly mutt,  about 90 lbs, and stayed on the property,  he had lots of food, water and a nice dog house, and was free to roam around.    One day when our neighbors were at work,   a pack of coyotes happened by their house and the dog tried to defend and engage the intruders.  Coyotes kill for a living, and the domesticated dog was no match for 3 - 4 large coyotes.  He was almost dead when they arrived home,  many rips and tears, and loss of blood,  cost them a bundle for vet bills and the dog was never the same again.   When we had to go anywhere, we used to keep our dog in a 8' X 16'  6' high chain link enclosure beside the house,  she couldn't get out and nothing could get in.   I put shade slats all around the enclosure to keep her cool in summer and it also helped from the wind.  Her house was a large  heavy one I custom built for her,  heavily insulated and a nice mat inside so she could feel secure. 

 

 

[lightfootfan]

Great tips, Windwalker!  Looking good, Laidback!

I keep my cat inside with air conditioning.

[Windwalker]

Nice set up! Yes, that is sad about the poor dog trying to protect his territory. Ours stay in our fence or in the house when we are gone. Many times, we leave one in the house, and two outside to deter any would be intruders.

[Diane]

Excellent advice!

Ours are all house pets, they put us out! LOL