As the summer heat continues, the furry members of your family may need some extra TLC to get through. The Humane Society has a few seeds of knowledge to offer that may help keep your pets cool — and safe.
The same advice that applies to humans also applies to pets: when it’s blistering hot, stay inside and stay hydrated.
Dana Haukaas, executive director at the Humane Society, suggests keeping pets indoors in the A/C or, if you don’t have it, with windows and blinds shut to minimize the heat. If you’re going to be away from home all day, keeping the space cool is paramount for your pets.
If your fluffy friends are going to be left outside for any amount of time, make sure they have generous access to both shelter and water, preferably in a doghouse or other structure that creates shade.
Haukaas emphasizes keeping fresh water on hand for your pets at all times, inside and outside, because it's extremely easy to dehydrate. She even suggested adding a few ice cubes to keep it cool longer.
Freezing blocks of ice or other snacks — like broth, yogurt, peanut butter, blended sardines, or other treats — is actually a great way to keep your cat or dog cool and entertained, as they lick away at the tasty block.
There are tons of recipes online for frozen pet treats, or you can even freeze your pet’s favorite treats in the water for them to lick out.
Another quick way to keep your pets cool is to invest in a kiddie pool and fill it with water for a low maintenance cooldown that is more play than work.
Haukaas also noted that in high heat, concrete can get extremely hot, especially for an animal’s sensitive feet; she recommends going for those bonding walks either early in the morning or later in the evening, to avoid the intense midday sun and save your pup's paws.
The trick is to lay the back of your hand on the ground, and if you can’t stand to keep it there, it’s too hot for your pet to do the same.
Haukaas also strongly emphasizes to never leave your pets in the vehicle, no matter how short the trip. It takes less than 10 minutes for a vehicle to heat up enough to cause heat stroke, and that leaves your pets in a dangerous situation.
“I have no doubt that no one intends to cause harm to their dog at all, but if you are going to leave your vehicle for any amount of time, the best place for your dog is to stay at home,” said Haukaas.
One last tip: don’t shave your pet. It may seem like their coat of hair is a hindrance, but it’s actually helping. Your pet’s fur is designed to keep them cool, and shaving them down or cutting it too short can increase the chance of sunburn and sunstroke.
Instead, keep up with regular grooming and brush your animals often to clear out loose hair.
The best advice is to consider your pet the same way you would consider yourself in the heat, and to pay close attention for signs of overheating and sunstroke — excessive panting and drooling, trouble breathing, and unusual weakness.
It’s great to bring your pet along to the park or any of the great events happening this summer, but it's also important to look out for their health as well.
