Humans and pets alike are susceptible to extreme heat, or temperatures above 90 degrees. Whether it’s heat exhaustion or the much more serious heat stroke, heat illnesses affect us all when our bodies are unable to regulate temperature.
Ideally, both you and your pet have access to air conditioning during hot summer days. But if this isn’t available to you, there are still ways to avoid the worst effects of the heat. Here’s how to keep your pets cool when it’s hot outside.
You know how painful it feels to walk barefoot on pavement that has been baking in the heat all day? Many of us forget that feeling when we leash up our dog and take them on a walk. Animals’ paws can be burned by hot pavement. Additionally, because dogs sweat through their paws, it creates extra damage to body temperature regulation, the New York Times reports.
If you can’t keep your dog on the grass during hot days, consider buying some protective boots for your dogs’ feet that they can wear during walk time.
Keep your pets’ water bowls full, or leave out multiple bowls during the day for them to drink. You can also set up sprinklers or kiddie play pools in the backyard for them to run through. Even better, set up those water features in shaded areas to keep your pet out of direct sunlight. If your yard doesn’t have natural shade, set up umbrellas or tarps in the backyard.
A pet may be suffering from heat stroke if they have glazed-over eyes, difficulty breathing, have a fever, or are vomiting. If this happens, apply ice or cold wraps to their head, give them water, and take them to a vet as soon as you possibly can, the Humane Society recommends.
One of the most important things you can do to keep your pet safe is to never leave them in a car alone, even for a few minutes (we should also mention, never leave your kids alone in the car either). This is because, when it’s hot, cars can heat up dangerously quickly. It only takes 10 minutes for a car’s internal temperature to shoot up 20 degrees, according to Seattle Children’s, and deaths have happened in cars when it’s only 70 degrees outside. Even cracking the windows doesn’t help cool the car down. So even though it’s an extra step, pack up your pet (and any humans) and take them with you.
Questions about pet insurance? Contact a Sea Mountain Personal Insurance Specialist today!
