Summer Pet Care: How To Keep Your Furry Family Member Safe During Hot Months
There are so many reasons that pets and their people love Los Gatos. Between the lovely, well-kept dog parks, friendly, welcoming restaurant patios and shops, and pet-centric public events, pets enjoy our community and take center stage, too. Outdoor revelry reaches a peak during the summer. In order to embrace all the season has to offer, we encourage pet owners to take stock of summer pet safety measures.
Personal Air Conditioner
Dogs have a built in temperature regulation system, but it doesn’t come close to human sweating. Panting can help bring down internal body temperature, but it lacks total efficacy. This is especially true for brachycephalic breeds, like pugs, bulldogs, and boxers. Dogs can sweat through their paw pads, but it’s not typically enough to battle with extremely warm weather.
I’m OK, You’re OK
Consequently, pets should never be exposed to long-term heat. A few moments throughout the day to go potty is fine, but vigorous exercise or outdoor workouts should be reserved for the early morning and evening hours (always have reflective gear on hand).
Remember, if the pavement is too hot for your bare feet, it’s definitely not ideal for pets to walk on for long. Injury to the paw pads is common in summer, but can be thwarted with balms, shoes/booties, and limited exercise during the hottest parts of the day. Be sure to stock up on:
- Cooling mats
- Pup-sicles
- Appropriately-sized wading pools
- Pet sunscreen
- Pet water bowls and water bottles for walks
Summer Pet Safety
An essential summer rule is to never leave a pet alone in a parked car for any reason, for any time. Even if you have to run into a store for 5 minutes, or when there is cloud cover, pets can get into a load of trouble as the car’s internal temperature starts to climb.
Signs of overheating and heat stroke may not be immediately obvious, but can indicate a pet needs emergency care.
- Labored breathing
- Bright red gums
- Thick, ropey drool
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Mobility challenges
When they get too hot (over 103 degrees), they become vulnerable to serious, even life-threatening problems. To bring their internal body temperature down, every effort is necessary to do it slowly.
- Place lukewarm compresses on their abdomen, back, groin, neck, and armpits.
- Move them to a well-ventilated area, preferably in a dim or shady spot.
Wonderful Water
Some pets enjoy wading, swimming, and frolicking in water to beat the heat. As long as you supervise them, outfit them in a snug life jacket, and keep them close, water time can be rejuvenating. Be sure that your pet knows how to safely enter and exit pools or other bodies of water.
Tips to Keep Pets Cool
With a little extra legwork and awareness, you can prevent lots of problems related to the heat. If we can assist you with any questions regarding pet health, safety, and behavior this summer, please call us at (408) 402-3071. Our staff is always here to help at The Whole Pet Vet Hospital and Wellness Center.