Looking for some hot weather tips for pets? Temperatures across the nation are starting to warm up across the nation and heatstroke should be a primary concern for pet parents everywhere, especially in the warmer regions of the United States.
Heatstroke is a life-threatening, medical emergency marked by an inability to cool down the body’s temperature. Since dogs don’t have sweat glands dispersed throughout their body like humans, they regulate their temperature by panting.
On the other hand, cats keep cool by using their own saliva and licking their body.
Both dogs and cats, along with rabbits, guinea pigs, and other rodents, are susceptible to developing heatstroke. If left untreated, this condition can cause severe, potentially irreversible damage to your pet’s organs.
We’ve compiled of list of helpful reminders to make sure your furry friend is well taken care of while the weather warms up.
Hot Weather Tips for Pets
- Make sure they always have access to fresh clean water
- Ensure there is a shaded space for them to lay around outside
- Take them to the vet for a check up- ensure they are healthy and checked for heartworm, etc
- Animals with flatter faces who may have a hard time breathing (pugs, french bulldogs, Persian cats, etc) should always be kept out of the heat in order to ensure they can pant/breathe properly and cool down
- Do not leave animals in a parked vehicle outside during high temperatures
- Brush and pet your cats regularly or even trim longer coats, shaving them completely reduces their ability to cool down and prevent sunburn
- Do not walk outside unless you have protective footwear for your pet
- Be mindful of outdoor gatherings, human food can be dangerous for pets and lead to medical problems. Be especially careful to avoid giving your pets raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol.
Be sure to follow these tips as we start to see a rise in temperatures!
