Summer Pet Care Tips for Lebanon's Heat

Lebanon's hot, humid summer can be a real challenge for pets, especially thick-coated breeds and older animals. Here's practical advice to help protect your companion.

1. Water, water, water

Make sure clean water is available at all times, and double the number of bowls if you have more than one pet. On very hot days, adding ice cubes to the water bowl helps.

2. Avoid walks during peak hours

Between 11am and 4pm, pavement and sidewalks get extremely hot and can burn a dog's paws. Walk early morning or after sunset instead.

3. The simple pavement test

Place the back of your hand on the ground for 5 seconds — if you can't stand the heat, it's too hot for your pet's paws.

4. Never leave your pet in a car

Even for a few minutes, the temperature inside a car can rise dramatically and cause fatal heatstroke.

5. Watch for heatstroke signs

Heavy panting, excessive drooling, lethargy, or vomiting — if you see these, cool your pet down immediately (lukewarm, not icy, water) and get to a vet quickly.

6. Extra care for short-nosed breeds

Bulldogs, Persians, and similar breeds are more prone to heatstroke — keep them in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible on very hot days.

7. Parasites are more active in summer

Ticks and fleas spread more in the heat — make sure your pet's prevention is up to date, and ask your vet if you're unsure what's best.