How to Keep Your Pets Cool in the Summer
Summertime means sun, beach, and lots of play outdoors with your dog or cat. But higher temperatures also mean higher risks for our furry companions — more injuries, more skin and ear infections and a possibility of a heat stroke.
Pets do not sweat in the same way humans do and can easily become overheated. To avoid these problems and enjoy the summer season with your pet, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Know the signs
A dog's normal temperature is between 100° and 103°F, while a normal temperature in cats ranges from 100.4º to 102.5ºF. Anything higher than that means your pet’s in danger. Dogs and cats don’t sweat like we do. They drink water and pant to bring down their body temperature.
Watch for these possible symptoms of overheating:
- Heavy panting
- Dry or bright red gums
- Thick drool
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Wobbly legs
Provide plenty of water and shade
Dehydration in dogs and cats is a real possibility during the summer. Signs of dehydration include dry gums and excessive drooling. Make sure your pet always has access to fresh, clean water inside the house and bring a bottle for your furry companion when going outside.
Keep your pet in the shade as often as possible. While dogs and cats like to sunbathe, direct sunlight can overheat them (especially dogs) and lead to heat stroke.
Never leave your pet in the car
Most pets love riding in cars. But they wouldn’t enjoy being stuck in it somewhere in the parking lot when it heats up to over 100 degrees. You may think leaving your pet in a car for a few minutes is no big deal. However, it can take less than 10 minutes to develop heat stroke in dogs and cats inside a hot vehicle.
Mind your walking hours
If you have a dog, walk and exercise your pup only in the early morning and late evening. Never do it in the middle of the day. When outside, take breaks in the shade and have water available.
Also keep their paws cool by staying off hot surfaces like cement and asphalt. If you can't walk your dog during the early and later hours of the day, doggy boots are a good way to protect their paws.
Keep parasites off
In the summer, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and other parasites are practically everywhere. They carry tapeworms, heartworms and diseases such as Lyme or Bartonella that can put your pet at risk. Ask your vet for the appropriate medical prescriptions to keep your pet pest-free.
