Summer Pet Safety Tips in Canada: Keep Your Pets Cool & Protected

Summer in Canada brings sunshine, long days, and plenty of outdoor fun for pets. But with warm weather come risks: heatstroke, burns, pests, sunburn, and more. Whether you’re in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, or any province in between, knowing how to protect your pet during summer is essential. Here are some of the best pet summer safety tips to keep your furry companions cool, healthy, and happy.

1. Summer Pet Safety Starts with Hydration and Shade

• Always provide fresh, clean water and re-fill bowls regularly—cool water helps regulate their body temperature.

• For dogs outdoors, take portable water and a bowl on walks. For cats, multiple water stations in the house are helpful.

• Use ice cubes or chilled water on very hot days.

• Pets need shade: trees, covered patios, or a shaded spot in the yard.

• Indoors, keep cool via fans or air conditioning, especially during midday sun.

• Limit outdoor exposure during peak heat hours (usually around 11am-4pm).

2. Protecting Pet Paws from Hot Pavement in Summer

• Pavements, asphalt, and sand heat up fast and can burn paw pads. If it’s too hot for your bare foot, it's too hot for pet paws.

• Walk in grassy or shaded paths when possible.

• Consider dog booties or protective paw wax for breeds sensitive to burns.

3. Pet Sunburn Protection: How to Keep Dogs and Cats Safe in the Sun

• Pets, especially those with short or light-coloured fur (white, tan, thin coat), are more vulnerable to sunburn.

• Use pet-safe sunscreen on nose, ear tips, belly—areas with little fur.

• Avoid shaving fur off completely; light trimming is safer.

4. Hot Weather Safety Tips for Pets: Never Leave Them in Cars

• Even with windows cracked, temperatures inside cars can become dangerously high in a matter of minutes.

• If running errands, leave pets at home rather than risking heatstroke.

5. Summer Pest Prevention for Pets in Canada

• Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, heartworm are more active during warmer months.

• Use veterinarian-recommended preventatives (topical treatments, collars, oral meds).

• After outdoor walks, check fur, ears, paws for ticks or insects.

6. Life Jackets and Swimming Safety Tips for Pets

• Not all pets are natural swimmers—force them only slowly into water.

• Use life jackets if boating or near deep water.

• Rinse off after swimming in pools (chlorine) or lakes (algae, bacteria).

• Dry ears well to prevent infections.

7. Canadian Summer Risks: Wildfire Smoke, Humidity & Regional Hazards

• Canada Day and other summer events often have fireworks which can stress pets. Loud noises can cause anxiety or panic.

• Provide a safe, quiet space indoors. Use white noise or calming aids.

• Make sure ID tags and microchip details are up-to-date in case pet gets frightened and runs away.

Conclusion

Canadian summers bring unique challenges for our furry friends, but with these summer pet safety tips, you can keep them cool, comfortable, and safe. At Healthier Pet, we believe prevention is the foundation of long-term wellness. For even more year-round advice on protecting dogs and cats, explore our blog “Pet Safety Tips for Dogs and Cats in Canada” available on the Healthier Pet website.