Summer is somehow just around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited! Summer is a great time for pets of all sorts to enjoy the warmth and extended sunlight. As fun as it is, the scorching heat can have adverse effects on your pets, just like it can for you. The blazing sun can be very harmful towards your pet if you’re not careful, so if you’re not sure how to protect your pet from summer heat, here are some tips!
Check Pavement Before Taking Them Outside
Have you ever seen people try to cook an egg on the sidewalk? That’s possible because on summer’s worst days, the sidewalk and pavement can reach extremely high temperatures. Taking your dog for a walk while the pavement is burning hot can cause moderate to extreme pain and can even damage the padding on their paws. The best way to check if it’s safe to go on a walk is to place the back of your palm on the pavement. If you can’t keep your hand there for five seconds or more, it’s not suitable for your dog to walk on. If it’s safe, you should still consider going on shorter walks more frequently, or bring some water if you want to go on a longer one.
Keep Your Home Cool
Your indoor pets have to stay cool, too! The best way to keep them comfortable in the summer is to have a functioning air conditioning system. Having a home that’s too warm will leave them in constant discomfort and can even dehydrate them — especially those who require cooler temperatures. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend keeping the house at room temperature (about 72 degrees) or lower. The last thing you want is for your companion to overheat while they’re trying to relax! If you’re still not sure how to protect your pet from summer heat, please pay extra attention to this next tip:
Watch For Signs Of Heatstroke
Your pet will suffer heatstroke if their internal body temperature gets too high. This is generally caused by too much time spent in prolonged sunlight. Some common signs include:
- Heavy panting
- Excessive drooling
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Bright red or otherwise discolored tongue and gums
- Constant pausing of physical activity to lie down
- Grogginess or dizziness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
If you notice any of these symptoms, you need to cool your dog down immediately. Bring them home or find some shade and try to get them to drink some cool water. Pour a little bit of water onto them as well, but make sure it isn’t too cold so they don’t go into shock. If nothing seems to be working, bring them to an animal hospital for further assistance. Heatstroke is a very serious matter when it comes to your pets — click here to read some statistics about it. Do not leave your pet inside your car for any length of time.
It’s of utmost importance you know how to protect your pet from summer heat, so hopefully you’re a bit more equipped to keep your companion(s) safe in the coming months. Should something happen, be sure to bring them into Cherrelyn Animal Hospital for the best care and assistance.
