5 Hot Weather Tips for Pets_

We are deep in the dog days of summer — a fun but potentially dangerous time for our animal companions. More time outdoors is exciting for the entire family, but in turn can expose our pets to dangerous levels of heat. Follow these steps to help decrease the effects of high summer temperatures!

1. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for them: Even the healthiest of pets, when overexposed to the sun and heat, can easily become dehydrated and eventually develop heat stroke. Heat stroke can cause severe medical conditions in our furry friends, even death. Pets can become dehydrated rapidly, so give them full access to drinking water when it's hot outdoors. Make sure they have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful to not over exert them, and keep them indoors and in air conditioning when it's extremely hot. Never leave your pet in a parked car! Even a few minutes on a moderately hot day with the windows down can be fatal.
   
   
2. Know the signs of heat stroke: Symptoms of heat stroke in pets include heavy panting, increased heart rate, excessive drooling, acting disoriented, weakness, and even collapse. This can also include vomiting, diarrhea and seizures. Flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers as well as Persian cats are more susceptible to heat stroke since they are unable to pant effectively. These breeds, along with obese, elderly, or pets with heart or lung conditions should be kept in airconditioned environments whenever possible. Contact your veterinarian at the first signs of heat stroke in your pets.
   
   
3. Have “Street Smarts”: When the temperature is very high, don't take your pet out on hot asphalt. Being so close the ground means their body can heat up quickly. Did you know when the temperature outside is 77 degrees, asphalt in the sun has been measured at 125 degrees? A jump to 86 degrees means a blistering 135 degrees on their sensitive pads.
   
   
4. Be water wise: Not all pets are good swimmers! Always monitor your pet closely around any body of water. Introduce your dog to water gradually and make sure they are fitted with appropriate flotation devices when on boats. Rinse them off after swimming in pools to remove chlorine or salt from their coats. Do your best to prevent your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that have potential to cause gastrointestinal upset.
   
   
5. Be grooming savvy: If your dog has a longer coat length, consider giving them a summer trim. Clip their hair to approximately ½ to 1 inch in length, leaving just enough coverage for sun protection. Brushing cats more often than usual or having a seasonal haircut done can help our feline friends when temperatures start to rise.

 For more information, please visit:

Veterinary Healing Center Folsom - Folsom, CA

At Veterinary Healing Center of Folsom, we want to change the way animal health care is delivered. Our focus is on treating each animal as an individual, and aiming for complete wellness ... Read More » 

  Post information by Veterinary Healing Centers, Brad Cahoon, D.V.M.