Summertime Heat Hazards

• Posted on 9 July 2018
• By Dr. Jill Tack
• Posted in dehydration, heat stroke, heat stroke symptoms in pets, hot pavement paws, hot sidewalks walking, pets in cars
• 0

When the summertime heat hits, staying cool and safe is key for people and pets.

This summer is a hot one! In this kind of weather there are three things you need to be careful of when it comes to the health and safety of your dog or cat.

Heat Stroke & Dehydration

These are very real threats when the dog days of summer are upon us. Your companions should always have fresh, clean water available, whether it's summer or the dead of winter. Carry portable water bowls on walks and bring them on vacation or long car rides. Short-nosed dogs, like pugs, Japanese chins and bulldogs, darker-colored pets, animals that are overweight or ones that have thick coats (like Himalayan or Persian cats), are especially prone to heat stress. 

Symptoms

• Excess lethargy - super tired
• Decreased urination
• Dry gums
• Refusal to eat
• Sunken eyes
• Decreased skin elasticity - gently pinch your pet's skin near the shoulder up into the shape of a tent; if the skin is slow to snap back, your pet may be dehydrated.

Don't worry if your dog pants. That is how dogs cool themselves as they don't sweat.

Car 

We love to bring our pets with us but this is not the time to run errands with Fido. We have all been guilty of leaving them in the car to run a quick errand inside a store. But in the summer months or if the temperature is above 65 degrees, stop this bad habit. The risk to your animal is horrible. Either leave them at home or take them inside with you.

Pavement & Sidewalks

Ever heard the expression, "It's so hot, you can fry an egg on the sidewalk"? Things like black pavement (or asphalt) can get very hot and can harm your pet's paws. You may be thinking that taking your pet for a walk is helping their health but it may be burning their paws. If you wouldn't walk barefoot on it, you probably shouldn't let your pooch.

Stay away from asphalt or rough pavement, pick softer routes and schedule walks for cooler times of the day.  If you have a dog walker, talk to them too and let them know where it is safe to walk your dog.

Ways To Keep Pets Cool

• Fans
• Keep ice packs handy
• Provide frozen treats and ice cubes to snack on and ice cubes
• Fill a kiddie pool for a refreshing dip
• Turn on the sprinkler and play in the water! s and sprinklers
• Stay cool in the shade
• Visit The Pet Beastro and get out of the heat!

Heat can have very serious effects so if you see any of the signs above, cool them with the hose and get them to your vet immediately.