We all love spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with our furry family members, but being overeager in hot weather can spell danger. To prevent your pet from overheating, here are some simple precautions.
Offer Multiple ways to cool off!
Try making fans available and / or freeze water in water bottles and place under towels in bed.
Provide open access to cool spots!
Let your pet reach shade and cooled surfaces like tiled floors, tubs, and shaded rooms.
Try to keep them inside during the day.
Make sure there is always clean and fresh water available!
Check your water bowls more often! Water evaporates more quickly in hot weather. Try adding ice cubes to their water!
Walk your dog during cooler parts of the day.
Either early morning or late evening
Your dog may appreciate...
- Cooling Collars or Bandanas
- A paddling pool to splash around in.
* Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool—not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals.
Avoid
- Walking your dog on hot asphalt, as their paw pads can easily burn.
- Never under any circumstances leave your dog in a parked car
- Direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time.
- Excessive Exercise
Feel free to trim longer hair on your dog, but never shave your dog: The layers of dogs’ coats protect them from overheating and sunburn. Brush your cats coat more often, to remove the extra fur that can hold in extra heat.
Animals at a higher risk
- Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Persian cats, pugs, bulldogs, and boxers
- Pets with thick or dark coloured coats
- Young Pets
- Senior Pets
- Obese Pets
Watch Carefully for signs of heat stroke
Know the symptoms of overheating in pets, it includes
- excessive panting or difficulty breathing
- increased heart and respiratory rate
- drooling
- mild weakness
- stupor or even collapse
- Symptoms can also include seizures
- bloody diarrhea
- vomit
- along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees
These can signal a serious condition.
To help cool your dog, wet the fur immediately with lukewarm to cool water, not cold water. Bring them into the shade and offer drinking water.
Even if your dog cools down take him to a vet as soon as possible as some medical problems caused by heatstroke may not show up right away.
If you suspect your pet got overheated or if they have a dry tongue, no drool, and are no longer panting.
Please seek vet attention immediately!
If you see an animal trapped in a car on a hot day, try to locate the owner for call 911.
Stay by the car until assistance arrives.
