You might not put much thought into leaving your pet out in the yard on a bright summer day in Granger, but the heat can take a toll on their health in a very short period of time. Dogs are especially vulnerable since they have limited sweating ability and a fur coat to top it all off. Your loyal companion depends on you to take care of them and keep them safe, so make sure to consider our animal hospital’s following summer pet safety tips to keep them healthy and happy.
When Summer Gets Too Hot to Handle, Keep Your Pet Safe With These Tips
- If the day is exceedingly hot, keep your pet inside with the air conditioning.
- If your pet has to be outdoors for any reason, make sure they have enough shade, shelter from the elements, and plenty of fresh, clean water always available. Even better, if you happen to have a shallow pool sitting around—you can turn it into a wading pool for your pet to use!
- Never take your pet on errands with you if you have to leave them in the car. Parking in the shade and leaving the windows rolled down will not keep the interior of your car cool enough. In fact, the interior can skyrocket from 70 to 90 degrees in just a few minutes! Many pets have perished after being left in sweltering hot vehicles, so avoid this risk completely and keep your pet at home.
- You can get a cooling bed for your pet to lay on if your air conditioning isn’t working, and make sure to keep fans blowing to circulate the air.
- Make sure your pet is vaccinated and taking monthly parasite preventatives to protect them from fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and harmful bacteria. Is your pet currently unprotected? Call to your veterinarian at (574) 277-6533 today!
- Don’t let your pet drink out of standing puddles of water, swimming pools, ponds, or lakes. Chlorine can make them sick, and puddles, lakes, and ponds are full of bacteria and parasites.
- Keep cleaning supplies, pesticides, and fertilizers out of your pet’s reach.
Symptoms of Heatstroke in Dogs and Cats
Heatstroke can affect your dog or cat when you least expect it, so be sure to keep an eye out for the following signs:
- Extreme thirst
- Labored panting/breathing
- Bright red gums and tonguev
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dog and Cat Lethargy
- Elevated temperature
- Rapid, irregular heart rate
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
Please call our animal hospital immediately at (574) 277-6533 if your pet is showing any of these symptoms. Heatstroke can be fatal if left untreated, so don’t wait!