Prepare for a pet-safe summer

As the mercury continues to climb, RSPCA Victoria is calling on pet owners to ensure their furry friends keep cool, launching a new guide for a ‘Pet-Safe Summer’.

Launched this month, the ‘Hot Days, Cool Pets’ guide provides a set of simple steps to ensure your pet remains safe and happy over what’s set to be a scorching summer.

A few tips include ensuring access to fresh water at all times, providing shade and limiting outdoor activities during peak heat hours, and walking your pet during cooler parts of the day to stop their paws getting burnt.

Summer brings its own set of challenges for pets, from scorching footpaths, sudden thunderstorms, to creepy crawlies and impacts on food availability.

RSPCA Victoria’s Chief Veterinarian, Dr Bronwyn Oke, said there is a lot to look out for during the summer months.

“One of the deadliest things for our pets over summer is being left in hot cars. It can take just minutes for your pet to die in a hot car, even with the windows cracked,” Dr Oke said.

“It’s not just hot cars that can be deadly; heat stroke is another real concern for pets and can happen quickly if they don’t have access to a well-ventilated, shady area with plenty of fresh water at all times.

“Other things like taking dogs for walks on hot footpaths can potentially burn and injure their paw pads – a good test is checking the temperature of the footpath with the back of your hand, chances are if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them.”

Some pets are also more susceptible to skin cancers – and it’s not just heat-related issues that pet owners should look out for either.

“We all know thunderstorms can make our pets feel anxious, and we can get some impressive storms over the summer months,” Dr Oke said.

“Making sure you have quiet, safe spaces ready for your pets during a storm can make a big difference.”

Keeping your pets in mind when planning for potential emergency evacuation is also crucial, with weather conditions forecast to bring higher than average fire risk in western Victoria.

“Planning for emergencies is such a crucial part of life in Victoria particularly during the summer months,” RSPCA Victoria’s Head of Prevention, Rebecca Cook, said.

“Many people across the state already have a Fire Ready plan in place, and we’re urging everyone to make sure their pets are included too.”

Key steps to prepare include:
– Updating your contact details on microchips* and ID tags in case you and your pet are separated,
– Store photos or scans on your phone or email of important documents like registration, microchip numbers, vaccination certificates, medication directions, and your local vet.
– Create an emergency kit with documents, medication, food, water, bowls, bedding, and toileting supplies.
– Identify possible pet shelters, establish an emergency guardian, and share your evacuation plan with someone you trust who can evacuate your pets if you’re not home.

For more information, visit www.rspcavic.org/hot-days-cool-pets.