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Summer Pet Safety Etiquette

16 Jun 2020 By: Diane Gottsman

Pet safety is important—the summer heat is hard on all of us, but especially our four-legged friends. To make sure your pet is safe and happy, follow these tips offered by The SPCA of Texas.

Pet Safety

Time of Day Matters

Take your dog for a walk in the cooler hours, early in the morning or later in the evening. I recently adopted an 11-year-old poodle who loves to walk…2 blocks! He enjoys the outdoors but would prefer I carry him most of the way home. I purchased a pet stroller to take him out in the cooler parts of the day and let him walk until he has had enough. In his defense, he has a leg issue that prohibits him from walking long distances. He loves the outdoors and the stroller seems to fit the bill. I get my exercise and he gets to come along for the ride.

Shade and Shelter

Always have shade and shelter available for your outdoor pet. Extreme heat is an issue in Texas and many other parts of the country. Offer plenty of water to keep your pet’s body temperature cool. Metal bowls can heat up very fast when left in the sun.

Won’t You Come In

Install a doggie door for your pet to come in and out at his leisure. Allowing your pet to go outside to take care of necessary business is always a good option when you have it available.

Water Temp

Don’t spray your pet or fill their water bowl with a water hose until it has run for a few seconds. The first drops of water can be hot and uncomfortable to drink or get doused. Give your backyard hose a few minutes to run the hot water through before filling their bowl with fresh water. Consider adding ice cubes to the water on a hot summer day.

Take Off the Party Clothes

Avoid dressing your pet up in clothing, which can be restrictive and hot. He might look adorable, but can easily overheat and will have difficulty communicating his discomfort. Clothing or costumes can also feel suffocating and lead to a frustrated animal.

Dog Park Etiquette

Visit the dog park when your pet is well-rested. Like a tired toddler, your pet will be on his best behavior when he feels his best. Don’t bring his toys or favorite items to the playground. Pets can get possessive of their belongings when other animals want to play.

Groom Carefully

Proper grooming is an important part of pet safety. A dog’s fur can act as a protective barrier from the sun’s rays. Avoid over-grooming him in a futile attempt to keep him cool.

Paw Protocol

Pay special attention to your pet’s paws. Your dog has little foot pads that can burn on hot metal, concrete, sidewalks and asphalt. If you suspect your dog has burned paws, soak his feet in cold water and call your vet immediately. Avoid walking on the sidewalk or streets in the middle of the day when pavement can be scorching hot.

Signs of burned paws include:

Licking, limping, or chewing on his feet or legs. Visible burns or blisters or paws that are darker in color than they are generally.

A Mannerly Pup

Insist that your pup mind his manners. Always be mindful of their body language and the behaviorisms of other pets. If you have several animals, keep them all on a leash. If your dog shows signs of aggression, such as growling or showing his teeth, don’t brush off the behavior. Training your pet to respect others is part of proper pet ownership.

Poop Patrol

Yes, pet safety includes poop! Even on the hottest days, when no one else is around, scoop your pet’s poop. The person walking behind you will thank you and appreciate your courteous efforts.

P.S. This blog is dedicated to Dusty, a beloved pet of two dear friends who experienced a recent loss. Pets are family and they were the best mom and dad to Dusty!

You may also like Building Resilience in 7 Steps. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

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Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.