With summer months coming and the heat index rising, there are some steps pet owners should take to make sure their friends don’t suffer undue heat problems. Your four-legged friend can’t tell you when he or she is feeling uncomfortable, so watch for dangerous situations.
With summer months coming and the heat index rising, there are some steps pet owners should take to make sure their friends don’t suffer undue heat problems. Your four-legged friend can’t tell you when he or she is feeling uncomfortable, so watch for dangerous situations.
- Overheating (heat prostration) can kill your pet. Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle, even with the windows cracked slightly; it only takes a few minutes for the temperature inside to reach 160 degrees. With only hot air to breathe, your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke. Parking in shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day. When traveling, carry a gallon thermos of fresh, cool water for your pet.
- In hot, humid weather, don’t force your pet to get exercise after a meal. Always exercise your pet in the cool of the morning or evening.
- In extreme hot weather, don’t leave your pet standing on the hot pavement, and keep walks to a minimum. Your pet is much closer to the ground and his body can heat up quickly.
- Never take your pet on an outing unless you can provide a shady spot to rest and plenty of fresh water to drink.
- Always provide plenty of shade for your pets that stay outside of the house. A properly constructed doghouse serves best. Bring your pet inside during the heat of the day and let them rest in a cool part of the house. Be sensitive to the needs of older and overweight animals in hot weather. Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs (especially Bulldogs, Pekingese, Boston Terriers, Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus) and those with heart and lung disease should be kept indoors in air-conditioning as much as possible.
- A clean coat can help prevent summer skin problems, so keep your dog and cat well groomed. If your pet sports a heavy coat, shaving your dog’s hair to a 1-inch length will help prevent overheating. Do not shave your dog’s hair down to the skin; this robs him of protection from the sun. A cat should be brushed frequently to keep its coat tangle-free.
For further information on how to help your pet beat the heat, call the Public Education Office at 714-935-6301.