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 SUMMER TIPS |
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from Purina Pro Plan |
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| Eight Summer Tips for a Cooler Pet | |
Summer is the hottest time of the year for you and your pets. Heat related problems such as sunburn, burned feet, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are ever-present dangers during the summer months. By following a few summer safety tips, you can keep your animal friends cool and comfortable while enjoying the months of sun and fun. Surprisingly, pets are actually more susceptible to hot and humid conditions than most people are. Dogs and cats have limited abilities to cool themselves. When humans get hot we sweat, and when the sweat evaporates it takes excess heat with it. Our pets only have sweat glands on their paws, which are not sufficient to cool their entire body. Therefore to eliminate the excess heat buildup, animals must pant. Our pets wear fur coats that reduce the likelihood of sunburn, but unfortunately these coats also trap in the heat.
The following steps will help you make the summer a safer and healthier time for your pets: |
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Keep you pet indoors if possible on hot humid days. For pets kept outdoors, make sure they have a shaded place to rest and keep a close eye on them. |
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Provide plenty of fresh water to drink to replenish what your pet loses by panting. Check the water bowl several times a day to be sure it's full. If you plan outside activities with your pet, bring plenty of water for both of you. |
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If you jog, exercise or play with your dog in the summer, do so during the cooler early morning or evening. Keep the exercise at a gentle level. Periodically stop and let your dog drink and make sure he or she doesn't overexert. If your dog is panting excessively or seems exhausted, it's time to stop. If you don’t pay close attention to behavior, you may not realize your dog has been seriously overheating until it’s too late. |
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Never keep your pet in a car in direct sun on a summer day. Even with the windows slightly open, the temperature inside a car can easily soar to over 120 degrees or more within minutes. These conditions can kill a pet within 10 minutes or less. |
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Consider a “summer” clip of your dog’s coat, especially for long-haired or heavy-coated breeds. Comfort is more important than looks. Groom it short enough not to trap in the heat, but not so short as to expose the skin to sunburn. |
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While all dogs are at risk for heat related problems, the older pet, the overweight pet and the short nose breeds are especially susceptible. Snub nosed dog breeds, such as Pekingese, pugs, and bulldogs can not pant very efficiently. Overweight dogs have extra layers of fat act that as heat-trapping insulation, plus their panting capabilities are also compromised. |
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Know the warning signs of heat stroke and take the appropriate actions. When suffering from heat stroke, a dog will initially show excessive panting followed by weakness and confusion. The affected dog will feel hot to the touch. As the heat stroke progresses he will typically drool excessively and may vomit, though not in all cases. In the final stages the dog will go into shock, collapse, lose consciousness and may have convulsions. Heatstroke is a life and death emergency requiring immediate action. Have someone call a veterinarian while you attempt lower the animal's body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the entire body and ice packs to the head and neck region. Then transport him promptly to the nearest veterinarian for intensive care. |
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Avoid of hot surfaces such as asphalt, concrete and truck beds that can burn your pet’s tender feet. |
| Left to themselves on a hot day, your pets would probably seek a cool shady spot to rest and pant as needed. Unfortunately, their desire to interact and please you often puts them at risk for heat related problems. So it is your responsibility to keep them safe and healthy this summer. | |
Your pet’s initial reaction to increased environmental temperatures is usually limited to some physical discomfort and panting. However if their temperature continues to rise, they become over heated, which may progress to heat exhaustion (heat stress), and finally can lead to sometimes-fatal “heat stroke.” This death spiral can occur over several hours or in just a few minutes if confined in a locked car.