1st Care Vets

Dogs and cats do not sweat through their skin. They cool themselves by rapid breathing, and when the temperature outside is hot and close to their internal body temperature, it means animals must work hard to stay cool. So when it’s hot for you, it’s even hotter for them.

Too much heat can be extremely dangerous and sometimes fatal. If your buddy has a shorter nose, like Persian cats and bulldogs, he is more susceptible to heatstroke than breeds with longer noses.

Below are hazards to look for and safety tips to enjoy the summer season with your pet.

Hazards

• Dehydration
  One of the best ways to keep your dog safe in the summer time is by providing lots of cool, clean, fresh water. Consider preparing low sodium chicken broth or yogurt ice cubes, and introducing canned dog foods (best when frozen in a Kong!) to increase the moisture content in your dog’s diet.
• Burned Pads
  Under the summer sun, asphalt on sidewalks and streets can heat to a temperature that can burn a dog’s paws. To avoid scorched paws, walk your dog very early in the morning or in the late evening when the streets have cooled off. If you must walk your dog during the day, dog booties can protect his feet. Always put your hand down on the asphalt for about thirty seconds – if you must pull your hand away because the street is too hot, it is too hot for your dog to walk on without hurting his paws. If you don’t want your hand on the street for thirty seconds, your dog probably does not want his paws on it for thirty or more minutes of walking.
• Parasites
  Summer is the season for fleas and ticks, and mosquitoes; pests which can present a minor discomfort to your dog at best and at worst may be life threatening or cause self-mutilating behaviors. Feeding your dog a high quality diet, without preservatives or chemicals will build his immune system, making him generally more resistant to parasite infestation. There are a wide variety of preventatives, 1st Care offers Comfortis for dogs and Advantage Mutli for cats (visit www.1stcarevets.com for detailed information). Keeping your home clean and your pet well groomed will reduce the risk of parasite infestation.
• Heat Stroke
  Heat stroke is a serious risk to dog’s health – in worst case scenarios, it can be fatal. You can prevent heat stroke by restricting your pet’s exercise during the hottest hours of the day (early morning or late evening are the best times for exercise during the summer), by making sure he is well hydrated, providing cool places for him to relax, providing opportunities to swim, cooling mats, and by never leaving your dog unattended in the car during summer heat.
• Many dogs die annually in hot cars. Even if your windows are cracked or you park in the shade, heat can build quickly in a car in the summer, turning it into an oven. If it’s 95 degrees at noon and you leave your windows cracked, the temperature in your car may still rise as high as 113 degrees. This is a recipe for disaster for your dog. If you must leave your dog in the car for any period of time, the air conditioning should stay on. Leaving a dog to die in a hot car is not just a health risk for your dog, but may be cause for animal cruelty charges in some area. The solution? Don’t leave your dog in a hot car.

• Signs of Heatstroke – If you feel that your pet is suffering from heatstroke, bring him/her to an animal emergency hospital immediately.
  •      Panting
  •      Staring
  •      Anxious expression
  •      Refusal to obey commands
  •      Warm, dry skin
  •      High fever
  •      Rapid heartbeat
  •      Vomiting
  •      Collapse
• Sunburn
  Sunburn will look similar on a pet as it would on a human, and typically occurs in non-pigmented areas that have less or no hair – often the ears and nose in many breeds, or the underside of the belly. Since dogs and cats might lick off their sunblock, access to shade is critical. Try to keep them out of the sun from 10 am – 4 pm. Aloe can soothe pets’ burned skin, but they’ll need to see their veterinarian if it is severe.
• Seasonal Allergies
  Your dog may be allergic to one or more seasonal items, which include fleas, grass and various plants, and mold. If you suspect your dog may have seasonal allergies, is scratching and perhaps losing fur, a visit to your vet is recommended.

Safety Tips

• Provide plenty of water
  Make sure that your dog or cat always has plenty of fresh water to drink. A bucket that holds a gallon or more of water will stay cool longer and is less likely to evaporate in the heat than water in a shallow pan. Some dogs love ice cubes, and you can add a few to the water bowl.
• Water down your pet
  Dogs and cats do sweat a little through the pads of their feet. The cats I know don’t volunteer to have water added to any part of their body, but dogs often enjoy having cool water on their feet to help them cool down, or you can apply rubbing alcohol to their pads. Some dogs enjoy walking through or even lying in a child’s wading pool.
• DO NOT LEAVE PETS IN CARS EVEN WITH WINDOWS OPEN
  Car interiors heat very quickly in the summer, even with the windows open. If it’s 85 degrees outside, it will climb to 102 degrees within ten minutes inside your car. In half an hour, it will reach 120 degrees or more! If it’s 90 degrees out, temperatures can top 160 degrees faster than you can walk around the block. Therefore, it is dangerous to leave your dog or cat in a car for even a short amount of time – even just 5 minutes and it’s against the law. If he can’t go inside at every stop with you, he’s safer at home on hot days!
• Keep your pet well groomed
  If longer-coated dogs and cats are brushed regularly, and their coats are in good shape, the coat will serve as insulation from the heat. If the coat has gotten matted, a summer clip will make your buddy much more comfortable and give you a new start at keeping him brushed. Newly clipped animals are more likely to get sunburned where the hair has been cut.
• Provide shady areas
  If your dog spends time in the yard, make sure she has access to shade. Dark coats absorb heat. Lighter coated animals, especially white ones, are at higher risk for skin cancer from exposure to the sun and are more susceptible to sunburn. Shade trees, a covered patio, or a cool spot under the porch can help keep her comfortable. Local and State laws require that a dog must have access to water. The owner can be charged for animal cruelty if the dog cannot get to water.
• Limit exercise to early morning or evening hours
  If you need to walk and/or excise your pet, adjust intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets who, because of their short noses, typically have difficulty breathing.
• Don’t walk on asphalt during peak hours
  Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws. You can test the asphalt with your hand for 30 seconds and avoid it if too hot. It is best to walk your dog on the grass if possible or time your walks to early morning or evening hours when asphalt is at a cooler temperature.
• Watch out for puddles
  If your pet is thirsty, they’ll be more prone to drink from puddles. This should be avoided in case chemicals such as antifreeze are in the puddles and can be harmful or fatal to pets. Be sure to bring enough water for your pet to keep them hydrated and cool.

The above information is provided for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your pet’s veterinarian. It may be necessary to consult your pet’s veterinarian regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your pet’s care and concerns, symptoms or medical condition.

Content is a collaboration of information from Los Angeles Department of Animal Services, Author Casey Lomonaco, The Humane Society of the United States and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).