The dog days of summer are now upon us, and nothing beats a Washington summer with its heat and humidity. Thankfully, humans adapt to whatever Mother Nature dishes out. Remember that while you're adjusting to the heat with extra water and cool A/C, remember that your pets are suffering too, and Fido and Kitty may need some extra precautions just like you.
Our friends from the Humane Society caution pet owners about heat safety and offer up the following tips to keep your animals safe on the hottest days of summer:
Heat stroke can affect your pets, just like people, so keep them indoors during the hottest days, make sure they can get to a cool shady spot for outside time, and give them plenty of fresh water.
Give them a haircut! A little less hair in the summer might keep them quite a bit cooler, so don't hesitate to tell the groomer to go a little shorter.
NEVER leave your pet in a parked car Even a comfortably air-conditioned car can rise by 20 degrees in just a few minutes while you run into the store, feeling like an oven in no time. Better to leave your pet at home on hot days.
Watch the humidity Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature can skyrocket to dangerous levels very quickly.
Limit exercise on hot days. Adjust intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. Also, remember that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible. Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.
What to do if you suspect heatstroke.If your pet is panting excessively, is disoriented or begins vomiting, he may be suffering from heatstroke. Move your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to the head, neck, and chest or run cool (not cold) water over him. Let him drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Take him directly to a veterinarian.
A hot summer doesn't mean we all become shut-ins; with extra precautions for people and pets, we can all go about our business as usual and enjoy the warm-weather months.
Stay cool!
For more information about pet safety and related topics, go to www.humanesociety.org
No comments:
Post a Comment