Imagine wearing a fur coat during the hot summer months. Uncomfortable? Just imagine how uncomfortable and dangerous it can be for your dogs and cats if they are not protected.
Here are some tips to keep our beloved pets safe:
1. Avoid injury to the feet. Stay off the hot pavement, especially black surfaces. This can seriously injure their sensitive pads.
2. Prevent heat exhaustion. NEVER leave your dog or cat in the car unless you keep the air-conditioning on.( not likely you will do this ) Even leaving the windows down in a cool shaded area is not safe as the car can heat up in a matter of minutes.
3. Keep them cool. Give your pet a good haircut, especially dogs with very long and think fur. A good brushing every day will help get rid of the undercoat and make your pet much more comfy.
4. Hydrate. Make sure you ALWAYS leave enough water down to drink. Dehydration is the number one killer of pets in the hot summer months. They sell vests and mats for dogs that are filled with a cooling gel for those who are outside in the heat.
5. Get some exercise. If you and your dog like to jog, for goodness sake make sure you run early in the morning or in the early evening before the sun heats up. Exercise is great for both of you; but not on very hot days. Remember, the sand and the pavement get very hot; so unless you put sneakers or booties on Rover, go early.
6. Tans are nice but did you know that your pooch can get sunburn? Well, he can. So… put sunscreen on his little nose and on his ears. These are very venerable places that burn easily and can be very dangerous.
7. Signs of heat exhaustion:
§ Heavy rapid panting
§ Unsteady walking
§ Purple or dark red tongue
§ Vomiting
§ Glazed eyes
8. Treatment for heat exhaustion:
§ Move your pet out of the heat into air-conditioning or shade.
§ Put cold towels, unless you have ice packs, on the neck, head and chest
§ Put them in water but make sure it is tepid or cool, not COLD. This would shock their system and be very dangerous.
§ Give very small amounts of cool water or ice cubes to lick.
Heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue are all signs of possible heat exhaustion. What to do: Move the animal into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to their head, neck and chest or immerse them in cool (not cold) water. Let them drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes and consider taking them directly to a veterinarian.
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