It’s summer in Ontario!  Parkside Animal Hospital has the ultimate list for safe and exciting summertime fun with your pet. Don’t miss out on the incredible weather, and get out there and have a blast with your furry best friend. 

Ideas for Summertime Fun With Your Pet

We love a good checklist, and we think that our list for summertime fun with your pet is one for the books. What fun activities will you try with your pet this season?

• Take a hike in a new area
• Enjoy the dog park
• Watch the birds or squirrels outside
• Go for a swim in a safe place
• Take a car ride
• Go for a leisurely stroll (even cats can enjoy this with cat backpacks or harnesses)
• Treat yourselves to some ice cream
• Teach your old dog (or cat) some new tricks
• Take a class with your pet
• Play hide and go seek with toys, treats, or even humans
• Pamper your pet with a bath
• Go on a picnic
• Break out the kiddie pool
• Go camping
• Freeze some yummy treats in an ice block for some outdoor fun
• Turn on the sprinkler and take a run through it with your pet
• Go to a pet friendly festival or outdoor gathering if your pet enjoys company
• Make a homemade pet treat
• Invite some four-legged friends over for a puppy party
• Head to a farmer’s market
• Find a restaurant or brewery that offers dog-friendly dining

Safety Tips for the Heat

Whatever you are doing this summer with your pet, safety is key. If you end up in the emergency room, it’s sure to ruin about any good time. 

Consider the following for fun in the sun:

• Water intoxication in dogs is a real thing. While not common, sometimes pets ingest copious amounts of water while swimming or playing in the water, leading to nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and abdominal distention. Discourage your pet from gulping down water in a short period of time. 
• When it comes to beach safety for dogs, be sure to protect your pet’s pads from the hot sand and never leave them unsupervised in the water. 
• Pet hydration is important. Provide plenty of clean, fresh water and discourage drinking dirty lake or pool water. 
• Heat stroke can happen in both dogs and cats. Be sure that shelter is readily available and watch for signs of dehydration. 
• Sunscreen for dogs is a real thing! Pick a product free from PABA and zinc oxide and apply to vulnerable areas like ear tips and white skin. 
• Hiking safety for dogs includes protecting paw pads from rough and sharp places, discouraging your pet from pestering wildlife, and staying well-hydrated. Be sure that your pet is up to date on preventive vaccinations as well.
• When it’s warm enough for us, it’s usually warm enough for parasites. Be sure that your pet is up to date on recommended parasite prevention for heartworms, fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites. 

Of course, if you do get into any trouble while having fun in the sun, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are all about helping you have some summertime fun with your pet!