Your beloved dog loves to romp outside, but when summer temps soar, you must protect him from overheating. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your pets cool.
How hot is too hot?
Be cautious about your dog’s outdoor activities when the heat rises, particularly if the relative humidity is high, which makes it difficult for your dog’s body heat to dissipate into the surrounding air. In temperatures over 80 to 85 degrees, limit your dog’s outdoor activity to a leisurely stroll around the yard. A vigorous walk is too stressful. Be extra cautious with older dogs, dogs with medical conditions, dogs with dark or long fur, and brachycephalic dogs—bulldogs and pugs with “smushed” snouts, which lessen their breathing capacity.
When your dogs are outside in warm weather, be sure to offer them plenty of chilled water in a bowl or squirt bottle to keep them cool.
Watch out for that car!
Even in temperatures under 90 degrees, the interior of a car parked in the sun can reach 120 degrees and be life-threatening to a pet. Never leave your pet in a hot car, even for a few moments.
To keep pets cool, let your car and its air conditioning run for several minutes to cool down before you travel with your dog or cat.
Take a chill pill
Here are some additional ways to help keep dogs cool in the summer.
- Crushed ice cubes in their water bowl are a treat for dogs who like to chew ice.
- If your dog has long hair, have it clipped short for the hottest part of summer.
- Keep a plastic kiddie pool with cool water, preferably in the shade, for your dog to lounge in.
- If your dog doesn’t like to immerse herself in water, many dogs enjoy playing on a kiddie splash pad that sprays jets of water upward.
What about cats?
Cats generally handle heat better than dogs because they are less active. But keep a bowl of cool water near them. And if your cat is panting, move her inside to cool her down. If she continues to pant, take her to the vet immediately.
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