A Pet Parent's Guide to Summer Safety
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Part 1: Summer
Heat and Fireworks
Summer is supposed to be the most fun part of the year. People go on vacation, kids are finished with school. Camping and and RVing is a huge pastime here in BC.
The beach. BBQs. Patios. Ice cream.
The reality for pets is hotter, louder, and more unpredictable than any other stretch of the year. The veterinary emergency room sees its highest volume of visits from June through August.
We will share 2 common situations every pet parent will face between Victoria Day and Labour Day: the heat and fireworks
Summer Heat
Signs Your Pet Is Overheating
Heatstroke can go from manageable to life-threatening in 15 minutes. Know the signs and act right away.
Heavy or frantic panting that does not slow down
Drooling more than usual or thick, ropey saliva
Bright red or pale gums
Lethargy, weakness, or stumbling
Vomiting or diarrhea
Confusion or unresponsiveness
Collapse
Some pets are at higher risk: flat-faced breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, Frenchies, Persians), senior pets, overweight pets, dark and thick-coated pets, and any pet with a heart, lung, or thyroid condition. These pets reach their threshold faster than you anticipate.
The 7-Second Pavement Test
Pavement can be 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the air. A 25-degree day can mean 52-degree pavement, which can burn paw pads in minutes.
Press the back of your hand flat on the pavement, sidewalk, or asphalt. Count to seven. If you cannot hold your hand there comfortably for the full seven seconds, it is too hot for your pet to walk on. Period.
Pavement does not start cooling until the sun is fully down. Late evening walks are not automatically safer than mid-afternoon ones throughout the summer.
Hydration by Weight
The baseline rule is one ounce of water per pound of body weight per day.
20-pound pet (9 kg): 20 ounces minimum, about 2.5 cups
50-pound pet (22.7 kg): 50 ounces minimum, about 6.25 cups
80-pound pet (36 kg): 80 ounces minimum, about 10 cups
On hot days, add 50 percent. On active days, add more. If your pet is panting after coming inside, the water bowl is the first place they should go.
Cats need water too, and most do not drink enough on their own. Dehydration in cats shows up as a slow-moving pet with sticky gums and skin that does not bounce back when gently pinched.
The following section has practical ways to get more fluids into your pet.
Hydration Beyond the Bowl
Some pets do not drink enough on their own, especially if summer makes them want to nap more than move. You can sneak fluids in through food and treats.
For dogs:
Wet food mixed into or replacing some of the kibble
A splash of water or low-sodium bone broth poured over dry food
Kibble frozen in water or broth as a slow-melting treat
A stuffed Kong frozen with wet food, plain yogurt, or pumpkin puree
Lick mats spread thin with wet food, yogurt, or pumpkin
Seedless watermelon, cucumber slices, blueberries, strawberries
Cantaloupe in small amounts
Plain canned, pure pumpkin (not pie filling)
Ice cubes (some dogs treat them like the best snack of the day)
For cats:
Wet food is the easiest hydration win (most cats have a low thirst drive)
Add a splash of water to their wet food or kibble
A pet fountain (running water entices most cats more than a still bowl)
A running tap
Multiple water bowls in different rooms
Tuna juice from water-packed tuna, used sparingly
Low-sodium broth made for cats
A reminder: grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and anything with xylitol are toxic. Stick to the safe list above and check with your vet before adding anything new to your pet's diet.
When to Skip the Walk Entirely
Skip the walk if:
The air temperature is 26 degrees or higher with high humidity
The pavement test fails
It is between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Your pet is a senior, brachycephalic (flat-faced), overweight, or has a heart or lung condition
Your pet is already panting hard before you leave
A skipped walk is not a wasted day. Indoor enrichment, a frozen treat, a sniff session in the shaded grass, a training game, or a swim in a kiddie pool all count. Tired brains tire bodies.
Fireworks
The Event That Leads to Lost Pets
More pets are reported missing after a fireworks celebration than at any other time of the year. Some of those pets are never found.
The reason is simple. Fireworks are loud and unpredictable, and they happen close to home, where pets cannot escape the noise. A pet in a panic will dig under fences, break through screens, jump windows, and bolt through doors that are barely cracked.
Set up a Safe Space
Pets need somewhere small, enclosed, inside, and away from windows. They will often tell you where it is. Some choose the bathtub. Some choose the closet. Some choose under the bed.
What makes a safe space work:
Interior room or area with no exterior windows
A bed, blanket, or crate they already know
Curtains drawn to block lightning flashes
White noise, a fan, or familiar music to dampen thunder
High-value treats or a stuffed Kong to make the space rewarding, and chewing and licking can help relax a stressed-out pet
Anxiety Tools and Medication
Common tools pet parents use:
ThunderShirt or anxiety wrap
Adaptil (dogs) or Feliway (cats) diffusers and sprays
Calming chews or supplements
Vet-approved CBD products
Calming music designed for pets (Through a Dog’s Ear, David Teie, Pet Acoustics, and Peaceful Pet Music on YouTube is a good starting point)
Distraction with a long-lasting chew, lick mat, or puzzle feeder
Call your vet if your pet:
Destroys property, doors, or crates trying to escape
Will not eat or drink during or after an event
Self-harming (chewing paws, breaking nails, hurting themselves trying to hide)
Talk with your vet as soon as possible, ideally 10 days or more beforehand, so any prescribed medication has time to work
Trazodone is commonly prescribed, given 1 to 2 hours before the event
Gabapentin is often combined with trazodone for a layered effect
Sileo is gel for noise anxiety in dogs
Longer-term anxiety medications for pets with year-round struggles
What helps that you might not expect:
Staying calm yourself, your pet reads your body language
Avoiding the urge to over-reassure in a high, worried voice (it confirms there is something to be worried about)
Canada Day Checklist
Microchip registry with current contact info
Collar tag is readable and up-to-date
Recent pet photos on your phone (showing different angles, unique markings, and size)
Vet visit for meds if needed (start 10 days before)
Desensitization sessions during the week
Long walk and exercise early in the day on July 1
Windows closed, curtains drawn, white noise or music on
Meds given 1 to 2 hours before the noise starts
All exterior doors and gates double-checked
Escape routes blocked
Things NOT to Do on Canada Day (or for any fireworks celebration)
Do not bring your pet to a fireworks display, even if they are usually social
Do not punish anxious or destructive behaviour
Do not leave your pet alone in the yard during fireworks
Do not try a new medication for the first time the day of the event
Do not sedate your pet with leftover meds from another pet or another situation
Do not give your pet human medication or recreational drugs
Do not assume an outdoor cat will come home that night, keep them inside and safe
Do not skip the leash on a potty break after dark, even in a fenced yard
We hope you have a wonderful, fun, and safe summer with your pets!
Stay tuned for part 2 where we will share some common summer emergencies and recommendations for prevention and a quick response.
Leave a comment if you have a recommendation we missed or have a story to share about summer with your pet or ways to help your anxious pet.
For more helpful pet parent information check out our local listings and resources:
Local veterinarians in Abbotsford and Mission and emergency numbers (just in case) -https://www.furryornotpetcare.ca/forpetparents/veterinariansinabbotsfordandmission
Local pet stores (to buy what you need for your pet) -
What to do for a lost (or found) pet in Abbotsford -
Dog-friendly parks and trails in the area (to check out before or after Canada Day)
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