As the summer travel season ramps up, pet parents have plenty of things to navigate: from leaving a new puppy to go on a vacation to keeping anxious pets calm during 4th of July fireworks and more. Given that 1 in 5 dog parents say they’ve never left their dog alone for more than a few hours (and 11% have never been away from their dog at all) it seems that many of us could use a primer on safe summer tips for pets.
We’ve teamed up with pet experts to put together the ultimate pet parent’s guide to summer safety. Each topic features a downloadable graphic packed with tips to keep in mind during the 4th of July, at backyard barbecues, while traveling, when the temperatures rise, and on outdoor adventures. Be safe and have a fun summer with your pets!
- Firework Safety
- BBQ Foods: Do’s & Don’ts
- How to Plan and Prep for Separation Anxiety
- Travel Tips for You and Your Pet
- Summer Socialization Safety
- Staying Safe on Outdoor Adventures
How to Keep Pets Calm During Fireworks
Is your dog afraid of fireworks? You’re not alone: 51% of pet parents told us their pet is scared of fireworks. Another 19% aren’t sure yet if the noise scares or stresses their dog. If you aren’t sure it’s always better to err on the side of caution, especially on fireworks-heavy holidays like the 4th of July.
But it isn’t just stressful for the pets: 44% of dog parents are worried about their dog hearing fireworks and 46% avoid 4th of July celebrations altogether because their dog is afraid. Nearly half (45%) of pet parents also told us they are actively looking for new tips and tricks to keep their dogs and cats calm.
If you share your pet’s anxiety around fireworks, we’re here to help. The best thing you can do? Plan ahead.
Watch this video featuring Certified Professional Dog Trainer Nicole Ellis on how to prepare your dog ahead of time and keep them calm on the big day.
Why you should desensitize your dog for fireworks early
Aren’t sure how your pet feels about fireworks or other loud noises? Learning whether your dog or cat is afraid of fireworks usually means exposing them to the sound, but you probably don’t want to do that for the first time on the 4th of July.
You can try playing a video of a fireworks show at a low volume and increasing it a little at a time. If your pet hides, tucks their tail, or shows any other signs of fear then it’s likely you will need to plan ahead this summer.
First things first: If you know there will be fireworks, plan to keep your pets safely inside. If they are outside and suddenly frightened they could easily run away and get lost or injured.
Then it’s best to be proactive and plan ahead by researching options that can calm your dog down during fireworks, like an anti-anxiety pressure wrap. This along with lots of cuddles can help increase feelings of security. You can also try distracting your pets by stocking up on their favorite treats, picking up a puzzle toy, or planning to play games together.
If you have a highly anxious pet, you may want to ask your vet to prescribe a medication to calm or mildly sedate your dog or cat during a stressful event like fireworks.
Additional resources
- What you can give dogs for their anxiety
- How a ThunderShirt can help calm cats
- Everything you need to know about calming treats
Is BBQ Food Safe for Dogs? 10 Common BBQ Foods to Keep Away From Pets
A summer barbecue is a classic American tradition that brings families, friends, and neighborhoods together—and our dogs are often invited to the party as well. If you’re one of the 58% of pet parents feeding your pets human food as a treat, it’s important to know which BBQ foods are dangerous for pets. In general, you’ll want to avoid letting your cat or dog eat BBQ food, including scraps, as it may contain harmful ingredients like onions.
However, only 41% of pet parents told us they feel fairly confident they know which cookout foods are safe for dogs and another 17% admit they don’t feel confident at all. Sadly, nearly 1 in 5 pet parents told us they have unknowingly fed their dog unsafe human food at a cookout that made them sick.
But even if you aren’t giving your pup human food, counter surfing can be a real problem. Nearly a third of dog parents say their dogs frequently steal food from tables and countertops and nearly a quarter say their dog does it at least occasionally.
If you have an opportunistic pet, consistent training goes a long way to curbing this behavior. Watch this video featuring Nicole Ellis, CPDT, on how to discourage and prevent counter surfing.
If you’re planning to bring your dog to a barbecue this summer, it’s a good idea to brush up on common cookout foods that could be dangerous for them. If you aren’t sure about certain foods, you aren’t alone! 63% of pet parents have taken to the internet to see if a food is safe for dogs to eat.
How BBQ foods may harm your pets—and cost a visit to the vet
This summer tip for pets might involve a lot of self-control for you and your dog. While your dog may love to gnaw on your leftover corn cobs, don’t let them. Dog can easily swallow large pieces of corn cobs that can then cause obstructions. Dogs are also obviously going to want a bite of any meat sizzling on the grill, but keep them away. Salty, fatty meats like full-fat hamburger or spicy sausages can cause severe gastrointestinal upset and, in susceptible dogs, pancreatitis.
If you’re more of a fish fan, don’t let your pup near any raw salmon. Raw salmon often contains a parasite that is harmless to humans but dangerous for dogs. Cooked plain salmon, however, is fine to share with your dog since the parasite is killed during the cooking process.
Always avoid giving your dog food containing onions and garlic or raisins and grapes since these foods are toxic to dogs. Cherries are also toxic in large quantities and they contain pits which your pup won’t know to spit out. Stone fruit in general are dangerous for this reason. Avocados should also be avoided.
Another dangerous ingredient to watch out for often shows up in sugar-free or reduced desserts like Jell-O: xylitol.
While this list isn’t exhaustive, it’s useful to keep in mind as summer heats up. Save this list to share with friends and family so they know what not to feed your pup!
Additional resources
How to Ease Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety
If your dog misses you or seems stressed when you go on vacation, it’s likely that they have separation anxiety. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of pet parents are concerned about their dog’s separation anxiety when they travel. Yet 17% have no plan to prepare their dog to be apart from them.
The top concerns dog parents have when it comes to leaving their dogs behind to travel are that their dog will be sad (54%), anxious (50%), and/or destructive (36%). All of these are signs of separation anxiety. If this sounds like you and your dog, you may wonder if vacations are even possible. The answer is yes—all it takes is planning and working to understand your pet’s unique needs.
Planning ahead is one of the best ways to reduce stress for both you and your dog when it comes to separation anxiety. Learn how to prepare your dog to be left in someone else’s care before a trip in this video featuring Nicole Ellis, CPDT.
More than 80% of dog parents have noticed signs of separation anxiety in their dogs, which can include: not eating or playing when left alone, urinating inside, pacing or trying to escape, whimpering, howling, barking, or crying, and having sweaty paws.
It can be hard to know what to do since these things happen when you aren’t there, but there are plenty of anxiety solutions available to try.
The key to preventing separation anxiety is preparation
You can calm a dog with separation anxiety by focusing on management strategies that align with your dog’s comfort level. Try crate training games to make their crate a safe, happy space for them to relax while alone. Instead of going on a week-long trip after spending every day together, slowly increase the time you spend apart before a trip. This way your dog is used to being without you, even with a sitter around.
You can also desensitize your dog to the sound of house keys jingling or the sight of you putting on your shoes by not leaving the house after doing these actions. Desensitizing your dog to these action helps avoid their anxiety ramp up.
Another way to get your dog to relax during a summer trip is to provide them with distractions. Have toys and games for them enjoy while they’re with a sitter. Just be sure they are toys your dog can be safely left alone with, first.
If you’ll only be gone for a few hours, you can also leave the TV or radio on to create a calming white noise effect and reduce the chance they’ll bark at every little sound. If your pet is particularly anxious, talk to your vet about calming products that can help ease their stress.
Additional resources
- How to train a dog with separation anxiety
- Preparing your dog before traveling without them
- Dog toys for separation anxiety
How to Travel Safely With Your Pet
Planning a pet-friendly vacation? Lucky dog! Bringing a pet along on a trip can be a fun and memorable experience, and clearly many pet parents are excited by the idea: The majority (56%) of pet parents traveling this spring and summer plan to bring their dog along and 47% would rather travel with their dog than anyone else.
But it’s not all road trip snacks and singalongs—pet anxiety is top of mind for those traveling with their dogs.
More than a third of pet parents worry their dog may be confused by different smells and sounds, and nearly a quarter worry they won’t have access to the facilities they need to care for their dog like they usually would. Plus, 37% of pet parents will be traveling with their dogs for the very first time this year.
For those who have traveled with their dogs in the past, the majority (59%) admitted to taking a road trip they realized was too long for their dog’s comfort. It’s always good to be realistic about your dog’s wants and needs. After all, vacations are supposed to be fun and relaxing.
Not sure if your dog is ready to travel with you? Watch this video on the topic featuring Nicole Ellis, CPDT.
If you’re planning to bring your dog along on a trip, don’t forget your pup’s packing list! Whether you’re traveling by plane or car it’s a good idea to bring along a few important staples (and backups!).
Always bring extra gear when traveling away from home
You’ll of course know to bring a leash, but what about a backup? Leashes can become lost or damaged, and they’re light to pack so it’s a great idea to bring an extra. In that same vein, when packing food and treats be sure to bring more than you think you need. Delays happen and it can be hard to find your dog’s preferred food when out and about.
Poop bags are an obvious must for any dog parent on the road, and if you don’t have collapsible food and water bowls you may want to pick some up. They’re super handy for traveling since they take up little space and offer a way to give your dog the fuel and hydration they need wherever you are.
Last but certainly not least, bring a list of your dog’s vaccinations and microchip details. Regulations can change from place to place and airline to airline, and having this info at the ready can help make travel plans go more smoothly.
Additional resources
How Much Is Too Much? Summer Safety Tips for Pet Socialization
Is your pup comfortable in a crowd? Taking your dog to an outdoor festival or popular brewery sounds like summer fun, but around 25% of dog parents aren’t sure yet if their dog is okay in crowds. Another 31% said they know their dog isn’t comfortable in busy spaces. Anxiety in crowds isn’t uncommon for dogs and luckily there are things you can do to help.
Demand for training, especially separation anxiety training services, has been “10 times more” than pre-pandemic levels, says Nicole Ellis, CPDT. “There are way more reactive dogs who fear unknown situations, lack confidence, and are barking and lunging out.”
Want to learn how to help your pet be more comfortable around crowds? Watch this video for tips on how to get started.
Protect your pup’s paws during your adventures
When the sun is out, you probably want to spend even more time outdoors with your dog, right? But as temperatures rise, it’s important to protect your pup from the heat. One of our biggest summer safety tips for pets is to know how hot superheated black asphalt can be.
Do you know what temperature asphalt has to be to burn your dog’s paw? If you don’t you’re not alone—56% of pet parents reported they either don’t know or are unsure. A good rule of thumb is that if the ground is too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Here’s how it works: Even if the air temperature is mild, the asphalt can still be blisteringly hot on your dog’s paws. When the air temperature is 77℉, asphalt can be 125℉. As the mercury rises, this only gets more dangerous. Even one degree change in air temperature can mean a huge jump in asphalt surface temperature. For example: When it’s 86℉ outside, the asphalt is 135℉. If the temperature changes to 87℉, the asphalt jumps to 143℉.
One way to protect your dog’s paw pads and prevent burns is to invest in dog shoes or booties. They may look a little silly, which is probably why the majority (61%) of pet parents haven’t tried them, but dog shoes can play a vital role in summer safety.
Can’t get them shipped in time? Keep your dog’s paw cool in the summer by walking on grass or dirt. You can also time your walks to be in the early morning or late evening when it’s cooler outside.
Additional resources
- Pet socialization and wellness tips
- The best protective shoes for dogs during summer
- How to keep your canines cool
Top Water Safety Tips for Dogs
For many, one of the best parts of summer is getting outside and going on adventures. And for dog owners, that often means bringing their pup along for the ride! When it comes to being adventurous, we found that:
- nearly half (47%) of dog parents will take their dog hiking or camping this summer
- 46% plan to take their dog swimming
- 29% say they’ll bring their dog on the boat with them and are sure to put a life jacket on their pet
While more than half (53%) of pet people reported that their dogs know how to swim, 26% say they aren’t sure if their dog knows how and 21% said their dog is not able to. You can make your dog more calm and comfortable at the beach by getting them a life jacket. Dog life jackets work both as support as dogs learn to swim and as safety when around water, even if they aren’t swimming.
And there’s more to consider than just your dog’s ability to swim—if you’re planning to take a dip in local waters then it’s important to know your area’s risk for toxic algae blooms. Almost a third (29%) of dog parents are aware of this and concerned about it but 22% aren’t sure if their area is at risk for toxic blooms.
To make sure your swimming adventures are fun, safe, and memorable, watch this video featuring Nicole Ellis, CPDT. She outlines what to look for when visiting beaches and lakes with your pup.
Always, always supervise a swimming dog
Swimming can be great exercise and a lot of fun for dogs. But what if your pup isn’t a natural paddler? Keep these tips in mind if you’re planning to teach your dog to swim this summer.
Even after your dog has learned to swim, never leave them alone in the water. If your dog is hesitant, don’t force them in. Let them enter the water at their own pace. For an assisted start, gently encourage them by walking with them in shallow water. When you start hitting deeper water, support their midsection and hind legs until they get comfortable paddling with all four feet.
When it comes to your dog’s safety outdoors, recall is super important. This means that when you call your dog, they’ll come to you. Practice reliable recall by calling your dog while they’re in shallow water. You can encourage them to come to you by holding their favorite toys or treats.
A few pro tips: Try bringing along a dog pal who already knows how to swim to show your dog the ropes. We also always recommend investing in a well-fitted dog life jacket.
And last but certainly not least, watch for signs of exhaustion. Don’t let your dog swim if they seem overtired. After all, swimming is hard work!
Additional resources
- Pool safety for dogs
- Boating with dogs guide
- Tips for how to camp with a pet
- How to be mindful while hiking with a dog
- Dog water and food bowls for adventurers
- How to spot dangerous foxtails
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