Everyone can agree on one thing this August—it’s HOT. Luckily for residents at Collingwood Apartment Homes we have a large, lap style pool where you can cool off to your heart’s delight. But what about our furry friends? Dogs in particular need extra care this time of year. Here are some tips from the Idea Specialists© at Collingwood to ensure that your pooch stays safe during the summer heat.

Hot Weather Tips for Your Pet

Be proactive about Vet Care.

Things really heat up during the summer months, so make sure you pup is up to date on heartworm, and flea and tick protection so they can enjoy those walks outside or at the Pet Park at Collingwood without bringing home critters that can make everyone itch!

Don’t leave your pet alone in the car on a warm day.

It’s common sense to make sure animals are kept cool, but perhaps you get home and realize you need to make a store run, but your sweet pup hasn’t seen you all day, and you expect that you’ll just dash in and be back out in no time. Why not take your pet? Because in the summer heat, you can put your precious furry loved one in danger quickly if left in a car, even with windows cracked. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^® (ASPCA), “On a 70-degree day, a car’s interior temperature can climb to 90 degrees. On an 85-degree day, it takes only 10 minutes for a car’s interior to top 100 degrees; in 30 minutes, the temperature can jump to 120 degrees.”

Avoid Walking Your Dog in the Heat.

Ground temperatures can be much higher than air temperatures. If walking your dog on pavement, test it by holding your hand on the surface for 10 seconds. If it’s uncomfortable for you, it’s uncomfortable for your pup. Burned paws can be incredibly painful for your pup and can lead to blisters, cracking or even missing pieces of the paw pad, so it’s important to consider the weather and walking surface before talking your pet out. Try taking your animal to our amazing Pet Park instead for needed exercise and fun.

Keep Your Home Cool for your pets.

According to rent.com, pet owners should do three things to keep their animals cool: Keep them hydrated; keep the air flowing; keep them groomed. To keep your animal hydrated consider using a larger bowl and add a few ice cubes in it for an extra treat. While you are at work or away from your home, be sure to set your air conditioner on a reasonable temperature so that pets stay comfortable. And, by grooming your pet, you’ll reduce the hair that can trap the heat. Just be sure to see a professional groomer for big jobs.

Keep summer foods away from your pet.

Summer is a great time to grill out especially with Collingwood’s Bar B Cue area. Just be aware that food and beverages often commonly found at barbeques can be poisonous to pets. Bones from cooked meats can splinter and cause death to your pet. And snacks such raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol may cause your dog or cat to have severe digestive ailments including death. So, enjoy the season, but keep harmful foods away from your pets, no matter how sweetly they beg.

Remember, summer is a season that should be enjoyed by everyone including pets. Just make sure to help them enjoy these dog days of summer in a responsible, safe way.