Hot Weather Care
Prevention is the best practice!
Never leave them in the car!
Even if windows of your car are cracked, the interior temp can rise by 19°F in as little as 7 minutes, reaching upwards of 120°F. On a hot day, this can be fatal. Play it safe and leave them at home, even if you’re just running errands. Air systems can easily fail, making that cool air turn hot.
Keep it cool indoors.
Turn on the AC in your home, especially if you'll be out of the house for several hours. If it's too warm for you, it's too warm for your pet.
Look out for heat exhaustion.
Heatstroke is a dangerous condition and requires veterinary attention immediately. Signs of heatstroke include:
a. Panting
b. Staring
c. Warm, dry skin
d. High fever
e. Rapid heartbeat
f. Vomiting
g. Collapse
If your dog shows signs of heat stress, contact a veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, attempt to lower the animal’s body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Never place the pet in ice cold water; this put them into shock. A dog's normal temperature is between 100° and 103°F, so once they hit 104°F, they are in dangerous territory. Heatstroke can be fatal, so take every step you can to prevent it from happening.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
This could be the number one summer pet care safety tip and goes for humans as well-whether you’re indoors or outdoors, both you and your pet must consume plenty of water during the summer. If you leave the house, be sure to bring water bottles along with you and your pet.
Don’t forget to groom.
Protect your dog from the sun by keeping them well groomed. This will help them to be more comfortable and insulated from the heat. Dogs with thick hair should have it trimmed regularly during the summer.
Be aware of asphalt temperatures.
Temperatures on asphalt surfaces rise quickly, and the pads on their feet are sensitive! You can easily check temps by placing your bare foot or hand on the surface and hold down pressure for sixty full seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them! Always test first! And don’t forget, gravel can heat just as quick as asphalt. Always use caution!
Limit their exercising during certain parts of the day.
If you run with your dog, or let your dogs in your yard, reevaluate your timings and aim for early mornings or later afternoons. Never mid-day when sun is at its highest and hottest! And of course, remember to supply lots of water during those work-outs!
Be cautious of popular outdoor activities.
While near bodies of water, never leave your pet attended when they are swimming. Always make sure they have an easy way out or the pool is enclosed and inaccessible. With fishing, colorful stinky fishing lures can be very tempting to cats, dogs and birds, so this can be very dangerous. Hooks are usually barbed and cannot be backed out until the barb is removed. Never try to remove these hooks on your own. Seek veterinary help to prevent tissue trauma.
Always keep your pet leashed.
Letting your dog run free could create problems. They could end up getting lost, in a fight with another animal, or ingesting something dangerous. Don't risk it! Make sure your pets have proper identification by chipping and collaring them with identification tags. On an outdoor adventure, or even while a door or window is propped open, your pet could run off. Having the right identification can make it easier to find them, should they get lost. With windows, also make sure you have screens in place so animals are tempted to slip-out into the fresh air.
Never place your animals in the back of pick-up trucks.
Dogs love to feel the wind in their faces, but uncovered truck beds are a very dangerous place for your pet. Sudden stops or turns can throw your pet from the truck and can cause a major injury resulting from a fall or by being hit by an oncoming car. Additionally, there is a lot of debris and insects moving at high velocities that can cause eye injuries. It is best if your pet is secured inside your truck.
Be aware of summertime storms.
Summertime is thunderstorm season. For sensitive pets, storms can be terrifying. Whether they fear the light, the noise, the smells, or even the change in barometric pressure, a storm can set off a series of behaviors that can be dangerous for your pet. Some pets may shake, drool, howl, bark and even lose bladder and bowel control. Reassure your pet that they are safe by providing a safe spot away from noise.
Fireworks can be very frightening.
Fireworks can be so upsetting for pets that more dogs and cats run away from home on the 4th of July than any other holiday. It's one of the most important times of year to make sure your pet is safe and secure. Take your pet out for a walk before fireworks begin, to exercise, relax and go "potty". Keep them inside during fireworks with the windows securely closed. They may even feel most comfortable in a small interior room. Be sure to remove any items that your pet could destroy, or that would be harmful if chewed or ingested. Make sure your pet is microchipped and tagged with registration information up to date. If your pet is extremely sensitive to loud noises, talk to your veterinarian before the holiday weekend. He or she will offer ways to help alleviate your pet's fear and anxiety.