3 {Paw}esome Tips for Beating the Summer Heat

This article originally appeared in Southern Paws and Tails Magazine.

dog beating the summer heat on a boat

The dog days of summer are HERE, so it’s time for a reminder about your role in helping every member of your household beat the heat.

Stop sweating it and try out these wag-tastic tips for keeping your furry loved ones cool!

Keep ‘em Hydrated

Dogs and cats don’t have sweat glands in the same way that people do, which is why a lot of their body temperature regulation is done through panting. When your pet is panting heavily, it is in danger of becoming dehydrated.

Because you’re the one with opposable thumbs, it falls on you to keep your fur-babies’ water bowls full. Adding ice to the bowl helps to cool things down and can keep your pet entertained.

Another way to help your pets with beating the summer heat is by installing a doggy door to allow them to go freely between the outdoors for fun in the sun and quenching their thirst at the lake’s edge.

Be cautious, however, since some bodies of water can contain microorganisms that can be bad for your pet’s health.

Take a Swim

Taking a swim with your pet in your favorite lake will bring down body temperature and is one of the quickest ways to help your pets with beating the summer heat.

But before you dive in, make sure your pet is prepared. Don’t assume every dog knows how to swim instinctively; particularly those with big chests and tiny legs. Certain builds and breeds can struggle in the water and might require an animal life vest to enjoy the lake. Stay close initially until you’re sure your pet is a natural swimmer.

Also, think about how they will get into and out of the water. Access is often achieved by simply jumping from your home’s deck or dock into the lake, so you should make sure your structures are free of protruding nails and screws that could injure your pets when they jump.

Access to an exit from the water is very important. If your dock lacks stairs, you may want to add a ramp to the nearby shore.

And be sure to check the water level to make sure it is deep enough for your pets to jump into the water safely. Submerged hazards are just as dangerous for Fido as they are for you.

Provide Some Shade

Providing shade for your pet in the warmest parts of the day is important for beating the summer heat.

Shade trees are an instinctive choice for many pets who need to cool down. But if your lake home is short on natural shade, you can create a fur-friendly corner of your shaded deck by setting up a small fan, a water bowl and a cool mat or wet towel to lie on.

You can set up a similarly shady spot away from the house with a big beach or market umbrella to produce artificial shade.

Pets are important members of the family. Following these simple tips can keep them healthy and let them enjoy the lake as much as their human companions.

For more on keeping your pet safe at the lake, check out these great stories: “Protecting Your Pets: Animal Safety While Showing Your Home” and “Pet Travel: How to Prepare Your Pet for a Trip to the Lake“.

Pet Safety at the Lake: Your Cat Co-Captain

Photos courtesy of Sintra the Cat, Mero the Adventure Cat and Bryson Burmese Adventure Kitty.

Article co-authored by LakeHomes.com intern Gabrielle France

Not all felines are ‘fraidy cats’! In fact, a growing number of cats are riding the waves across some of America’s favorite lakes this summer.

If you’re ready to hit the open water with your kitty co-captain this lake season, take a look at these few reminders:

Prepare for Travel

As extraordinary as relaxing on the water with your cat sounds, getting to the lake may be a less than stress-free endeavor. Many pets, particularly cats, hate traveling.

To ease her discomfort and to ensure your pet’s safety, secure your feline co-captain in a carrier that is large enough for her to stand and turn around comfortably. Both soft and hard carriers are on the market today, which is best for your pet is ultimately up to you. 

Soft carriers are easy to travel with, compact and work best for calmer pets. The Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier is a highly-rated option that comes padded with a soft mat, plenty of space, and mesh sides for your kitty companion to see precisely where she is going.

Available at Chewy.com starting at $35, Sherpa carriers come in three different sizes and colors.

Hard carriers are more durable and protective than their soft-sided counterparts. Starting at $24 on Amazon.com, the Petmate is a solid, two-door hard carrier to consider.

This travel case is made of durable plastic and has two doors for your cat to enter or exit on whichever side she prefers.

There are five different colors to pick from and three different sizes.

Your Cat and Water

It’s no secret that most cats dislike getting wet, but did you know their fear of water is not inborn? Some cats are even natural swimmers, especially those native to warmer climates.

Feline friends who fear water are typically those who have never been properly exposed to it.

It is best to get your cat accustomed to water when he is young to make sure he has a natural curiosity to learn.

Being exposed to water early, such as gradually introducing your pet to a few more inches of water in the sink with each bath, will allow for a more natural and safe transition from tolerating to enjoying.

Eventually, when you decide you’re ready to take your cat to the lake, your pet will know what to expect.

For your cat’s protection, be sure Fluffy has a clear lake entrance and exit available, such as a ladder on your boat or dock, or a climbing rope that will allow him to lock in with his claws and exit the water with ease. 

Also be sure to keep noise levels and splashing to a minimum, and always dry your cat’s ears after exiting the water to avoid serious infection.

Life Purrservers

For added pet safety, consider fitting your feline with a pet life vest.

When selecting which life preserver to buy for your pet, consider purchasing a vest with a handle for quick extraction and under-chin padding to keep your cat’s head above water.

While most animal life vests are marketed for dogs, most are compatible with keeping your cat safe, too.

If you’re looking for a life preserver made specifically for your kitty companion, Paws Aboard is the best choice for you!

These jackets are equipped with both a  handle and under-chin padding and come in bright, easy-to-see red. 

Paws Aboard cat life vests are available for purchase on Amazon.com for about $25. Before you buy, always be sure to know your cat’s weight and measurements for proper sizing.

Protecting Your Pets: Animal Safety While Showing Your Home

Not all loved ones walk on two legs.

In 2017, the ASPCA reported 78 million dogs and 85.8 million cats were owned as pets in the U.S.; and that doesn’t even include the birds, reptiles and a large number of other animal kept by Americans! In fact, nearly 68 percent of the country’s population owns at least one pet.

Just as important as keeping your human family safe, is the safety of your pets, especially when your home is on the market.

Try these expert tips for protecting your pet family members next time your home is being shown.

Stretch their legs

One of the biggest issues with showing a home with pets is the potential for these pets be let loose by mistake, whether from the house or yard.

A way to prevent this from happening is simply to remove your pet from the house while showings are taking place.

two little girls sitting by lake holding a puppy

For some, this may be as easy as taking the dog for a walk around the neighborhood, if not with you, then with a neighbor or trusted friend.

The average showing takes about 30 minutes to complete.

This is plenty of time for you and your fur baby to stretch your legs and take in the scenic views of your lake while potential buyers check out your home.

This is also a great time to take your pup to the dog park, where he or she can run and play with other dogs instead of going on a solitary outing.

Your pet will be happy for the exercise, and your potential buyers will be happy to tour your home without distraction.

Post Friendly Reminders

For others, like cat, bird and reptile owners, going for a walk isn’t really practical.

Cat owners especially experience pet safety problems when showing their homes because doors are not always closed in a timely manner.

An easy way to ensure your cat doesn’t get let outside is to post signs on all the doors, kindly reminding guests that the cat is not to be let out.

These reminders should be easily read and featured at eye level on the backs of front, rear and garage doors. Reminders should also be posted on the front side of each of these doors.

By doing this, potential buyers and agents are kept mindful of your pet’s presence and well-being.

Additionally, reminders can be hung from bird, reptile and small mammal cages.

Though it is unlikely that someone would willingly open one of these, accidents do happen. Having reminders placed where they can be seen easily will also serve to keep guests aware of your animals’ safety.

Crate or Relocate

Some smaller dogs and cats can be crated while a home is being shown.

If going with this option, it may be beneficial to put the crate in a less trafficked area like a bathroom, guest bedroom, or garage.

In these areas, your pet is less likely to experience any undue stress or disruption. It may be a good idea to also cover crates or carriers with a blanket or something similar.

Additionally, posting a note on the cage or carrier asking potential buyers and agents to not disturb the animal will help keep your pet from unnecessary handling or attention.

It is also a good idea to let guests know that an animal is being kept in a certain area of the house.

This can be achieved by alerting the showing agent prior to the showing, putting a note on the front door of the house or by putting a sign in the area of the house where the pet is being kept.

For larger animals, animals with particularly strong odors or animals who make a lot of noise it is best to relocate while a home is being shown.

One potential solution is to enlist the help of a friend, family member or neighbor.

While the house is on the market, your fur, feather and scaly babies can stay with these people at their homes and in their care.

By leaving your pet in the care of someone you know, you can ensure they are properly taken care of, and most importantly loved.

Pet-cation

If finding someone you know to take care of them is not possible, there is still one last, more unfavorable option, and that is sending your animal family member on a vacation.

While it is certainly difficult to be apart from your pet for any extended period of time, for some, this is the best option.

Sellers who utilize this option include those who travel a lot for work, who are temporarily residing elsewhere while their home is on the market, and for sellers who are vacationing outside the state or country.

There are many animal resorts and spas your pet can enjoy. These facilities offer short and long-term boarding, pet grooming and other pet care services.

If you decide this is the best option for you and your pet, be sure to do your research about the best facilities in your area and any boarding requirements they may have.

For more tips, look to this expert list of things you should do before you board.

Paws, and Review

A few final things to consider when showing a home with pets include not keeping animals outside, chained up, or loose in the home or garage.

No matter the option you think is right for you, at the end of the day, your pets’ safety, happiness and well being is what matters most.

For more Lake Homes Realty pet news, feel free to read our Pet Travel, Invisible Fence and Must-Have Dog Toys articles.

Pet Travel: How to Prepare Your Pet for a Trip to the Lake

Dog at lakeA trip to the lake with the entire family is truly a special experience, but spending time on the lake just isn’t the same without your pet(s).

Trying to find a place for your pet to stay while you’re away from home can be an expensive hassle.  While many people wouldn’t even consider leaving their pets behind, pet travel certainly does have its own unique set of challenges.

If you do decide to take your pet with you, be sure to use the following tips to prepare your pet for the trip: Continue reading “Pet Travel: How to Prepare Your Pet for a Trip to the Lake”