It’s the best time of year! Time for summer, sunshine, and all the outdoor fun for everyone! It’s in the warmest season when everyone wants to take their dogs outside to join in the activities and enjoy the excitement. But with the summer fun also comes the summer heat, which takes proper preparation for your pets. Protecting your pet is the most important thing to ensure that your pet has the best fun in the sun. Luckily, there are simple easy steps to take to make sure your pet stays safe when they are out in the heat.
First, check the temperature. Sounds easy right? That’s because it is! Checking the temperature ahead of time means that you will know what time is the best to take your pup out for a walk. While the middle of the day gets pretty hot with the sun out, early morning and late evenings are cool enough to take your long walks, without over heating your pet.
Second, do the 5 second test! Most people tend to walk their dogs on the sidewalk or pavement, which can be fine but only in safe temperatures. As the sun gets higher in the sky, the pavement starts to heat up. The 5 second test helps protect your dog’s paws from getting burnt on hot pavement or concrete. All you have to do is press your hand to the pavement and hold it there for 5 seconds. If its too hot for your hand, then it’s too hot for your canine’s paws. Though sometimes you still need to take your pet out in the middle of the day. In times like these, try to walk your dog on the grass and take them on a brisk walk. Save the long walks for the coolest time of day. You can also buy dog shoes to protect their pads if you only have pavement as an option for walking.
Third, keep your pets out of the car during summer. The inside of a car can get very hot very quickly, and this can be very dangerous for your pet. Even as short as 10 minutes can make the car too hot for pets inside. A rule of thumb to keep in mind is that the inside of your car is always at least 20 degrees hotter than the temperature outside. Imagine that with a furry coat! The air quickly becomes too hot for a pet to breathe and they will suffer from heat stroke. If you do need to leave your pet in the car, make sure you have the AC up high and it is only for a short amount of time.
Lastly, know the signs of heat stroke. These are important to pay attention to any time you have your pet outside, in a car, or are exercising with them. If you notice the signs of heat stroke, remove your pet from the hot area and bring them into a cool place immediately. Spray your pet with cool or room temperature water into their fur. DO NOT use ice or ice water. Then take your pet to your veterinarian immediately for further treatment. See the list before for signs of heat stroke.
- Excessive Panting
- Excessive Drooling
- Agitation
- Very red or pale pink/white gums (often tacky to the touch)
- Bright red tongue
- Increased heart rate
- Breathing distress
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea (possibly with blood)
- Signs of mental confusion
- Dizziness & staggering
- Lethargy
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Collapsing and lying down
- Little to no urine production