The summer months can be uncomfortable-even dangerous-for pets and people. It’s difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone humidity and the possibility of flash floods when our monsoon season comes. Storm-caused power outages can sometimes bring tragic results.
Here are some ways to keep your pets safe and cool during our hot summer months. Follow these tips for helping everyone stay healthy.
Never Leave Your Pets In A Parked Car
Not even for a minute!! Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85- degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die. Learn how to help a pet left inside a hot car by taking action or calling for help.
Watch The Humidity
In our desert normally our humidity stays relatively low but during the monsoon season that changes. High humidity amplifies the negative impact of high temperatures on your pet-and in combination, these factors magnify the danger zone. When animals pant, moisture from their lungs evaporates and helps reduce body heat. But high humidity conditions hamper that process and their ability to cool themselves, and their body temperatures can skyrocket-rapidly-to dangerous, or even lethal, levels. A dogs temperature should not reach over 104 degrees.
Limit Exercise On Hot Days
Exercise for our pets is nearly impossible during our summer months. There will be many days when even at night our temperature does not go below 100 degrees. This means adjusting the exercising of our pets in accordance with the temperature. There is a 5 second rule for walking your dog. Put your hand to the ground for 5 seconds, if the ground is too hot for your hand it’s too hot for your dog. Do Not walk your dog during these times unless your dog has some type of foot wear and is comfortable wearing them. Be especially careful with dogs with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing.
Don’t Rely On A Fan
Pets respond differently to heat than humans do. Dog’s, for instance, sweat primarily through their feet. And fans don’t cool pets off as effectively as they do people.
Cool Your Pets Inside And Out
Whip up a batch of quick and easy DIY pupsicles for dogs. Always provide fresh water and wash the water bowl often. They are a breeding ground for bacteria. There are also cooling body wraps, vests and mats.
Watch For Signs Of Heatstroke
Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke. Some signs of heatstroke are heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure and unconsciousness. Animals are at particular risk for heat stroke if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease. Some breeds of dogs-like boxers, pugs, shih tzus. bulldogs and other dogs and cats with short muzzles-will have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat.
How To Treat A Pet Suffering From Heatstroke
Move your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to their head, neck and chest or run cool (not cold) water over them. Let them drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Take them directly to a veterinarian.
Prepare For Power Outages
Before a summer storm takes out the power in your home, create a disaster plan to keep your pets safe from heat stroke and other temperature-related trouble. Find out where the closest cooling stations are, where you and your pet can go. Make sure they are wearing a secure collar. Bring some of their food. A dog bowl. They will be put in a crate upon arrival. It is always good if your dog is already comfortable being in a crate.
I hope this article helps all of the pet owners in our community, especially those who are new to living in our desert.
Gail Moscato
Founder
Positive Paws BHC
928-275-2172
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