Keeping your pets cool in the summer is the best way to avoid heat stroke, which can be fatal. It’s important to pet owners to know the signs of heatstroke, which include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, wobbly legs, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure, and unconsciousness.
If you see signs of heat exhaustion, move your pet to a cool place, give them small sips of cool water or let them lick ice cubes, put a damp towel over them (no ice packs!), and get them to a veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. Don’t place your pet in cold water as that can put them into shock.
Provide Plenty Of Water
Make sure your pet always has access to a full bowl of fresh clean water. When your pet is outside, keep water bowls in a shady area and make sure your pet knows where it is.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET IN A PARKED CAR!
NEVER leave your pet in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked. Not even for a minute! On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can quickly rise rapidly to dangerous levels.
In New York its ILLEGAL to leave a pet in a parked vehicle in extreme heat or cold! In 2019, Governor Cuomo also signed into law a measure allowing firefighters and emergency medical professionals in addition to police, to escape liability if they damage a vehicle when breaking in to rescue a pet.
Protect Their Paws
Paws are sensitive and can easily get burned on hot surfaces. If it's too hot for you to stand on barefoot for 10 seconds, it's too hot for your pet! Stay on the grass and avoid the bare pavement. Limit walks to early in the morning or later in the evening when the pavement has cooled. Pets heat and cool from the bottom up, so standing or walking on a hot surface can also increase body temperature and lead to overheating.
No Pickup Truck Beds
Pets belong INSIDE your pickup truck with you! They can easily be injured or thrown from the truck bed if you stop short. Or they can jump out onto a busy roadway! Even the best trained dog may not be able to resist chasing something.
Don't Shave Them
Shaving your pet can result in sunburn or insect bites. Take your pet to a professional groomer, and always leave at least an inch of fur to shield their skin from the sun.
Apply Sunscreen
Yes - sunscreen! Pets get sunburns too, especially those with a short or light coat. It hurts and can lead to skin cancer. If you and your pet are spending a day out in the sun, apply sunscreen every 3-4 hours to the bellies, ears, noses - wherever fur is thin. Make sure to only use sunscreens made specifically for pets. Ask your veterinarian which products are suitable for your pet.
Provide Shade
Make sure your pet always has a cool shady area to retreat to.
Fleas, Ticks, Mosquitoes
Not only are they creepy, they carry tapeworms, heartworms, can cause anemia and diseases such as Lyme or Bartonella. Make sure to give them flea, tick and heartworm preventatives! Your veterinarian will prescribe appropriate medications to keep your pup and/or kitty safe and healthy.
Fireworks Are Not Fun For Pets
More pets are lost on July 4th than any other day! Pets tend to get scared and run away. Fireworks are made with chemicals that can poison your pet if eaten. Keep your pet indoors in a quiet area during the fireworks display, and be sure to clean any debris from your yard before you let them back outside.
Life Vests
Not all dogs are good swimmers. Even those who are can get disoriented in the water! If you have a pool, make sure your dog knows how to get out, and never let them in the pool if you aren't with them!
In the ocean, your dog can get swept away with a current. If you're spending the day boating or at the beach with your furry friend, get them a bright colored life vest that will float in the event of an accident. Never let them out of your site!
