Keeping Pets Cool All Summer Long
Today we will hear about the best summer tips for pets from a friend and great veterinarian, Dr.Tricia Stimac. Dr. Tricia works at The Royal Treatment Veterinary Center in Chicago. She has signed on to be a guest blogger for The Steve Shannon Collection so you will be getting the best information to keep your pets safe and healthy!
10 Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe and Cool All Summer Long:
1. Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh, clean water at all times. Dogs and cats can quickly dehydrate. If your pet will be outside in the heat, they should have access to complete shade and again, an ample supply of drinking water.
2. Exercise your dog in the morning or evening during the coolest temps of the day, stay in the shade whenever possible, and keep all your animals indoors when it’s extremely hot, generally considered to be 90oF or hotter.
3. Regardless of the time of day, don’t overdo exercise sessions.
4. Never, EVER leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle on a hot day.
5. Make sure your dog knows how to swim before allowing them to go into a pool, pond, or lake. Not all dogs instinctively know how to swim. Introduce your pup to water gradually.
6. Play in the sprinkler with your dog or hose her down with cool water if they must stay outside and cannot avoid temperatures over 90 degrees.
7. Don’t walk your dog (or cat) to hot pavement. They could hurt their feet and get hot fast. Animals are close to the ground – and the ground is much hotter than the air – your animal can quickly overheat.
8. Keep your pet safe from toxic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides commonly used during spring and summer months.
9. Keep your pet away from the potential food and drink hazards of your backyard barbeques, and remember to keep them safe at home during fireworks displays. Many animals get very scared from the noise of the fireworks.
10. Work with a veterinarian to help your pet avoid summer pests like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
Know the Signs of Overheating
• Excessive panting
• Difficulty breathing
• Elevated body temperature (over 104 degrees)
• Increased heart rate and respiration
• Drooling
• Weakness or collapse
• Seizures
• Diarrhea and vomiting
If you have an older pet, one that is overweight or obese, an animal with a heart or lung condition, or a dog or cat with a flat face, the very best thing you can do during hot summer days is keep your pet inside in the air conditioning, with plenty of cool, fresh water to drink.
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