Pets Are Safer Inside During Hot Days

With the recent temperatures soaring into the 90s, you only need to take some basic precautions to ensure the safety of your animal companions.

Consider that dogs don't sweat – they cool off through their paws, and this is why they pant when they are hot. Jen Lyons, main kennel operator for the Bucks County SPCA in Lahaska said because we know the 'normal' panting of our own dogs, if we see them panting differently or excessively, it's time to take notice.

Dogs can and do get heatstroke, so make sure they are well hydrated while on a walk or out in the yard. They should also have plenty of shade and cool water to drink.  Pet stores sell water bottles with animals in mind. Some are collapsible and some have a flip top that is used as a water bowl. These work great for walks and trips with your animal companions.

“Be especially careful with short-nosed dogs like pugs and boston terriers because they have breathing issues and get overheated quicker,” said Lyons.

Avoiding blacktop is also a must in this heat, Lyons added. It gets too hot for their paws and can burn them. Best to walk on the grass.

And particularly deadly for animals is waiting in your hot car while you dash into the supermarket  for a few minutes. Temperatures, according to The Humane Society of the United States website, can raise 20 degrees in just a few minutes.

If it's 85 degrees outside, within 10 minutes, your dog is trying to breath in 105 degrees in the car.  After 30 minutes, temperatures reach 120 degrees. And if you're parked in the hot sun, it can reach 160 degrees.  A rule of thumb is that if it's too hot for you to sit in your car with the windows down, it's too hot for your dog. Cracking the window does very little to change the inside temperature. 

Even leaving the car running with the air condtioning on for your pet can be harmful or deadly. Engines overheat, shutting down the air conditioning, leaving your pet to suffocate while you shop or run errands.

Leaving your pet home on hot days is the best advice.

If you see an animal left in a hot car in a shopping area, write down the make and license plate number and take it to a manager of the store. They can make an announcement to shoppers while you call 911. 

Lyons said the Bucks County SPCA does not have the authority to enter someone's car so she advises calling 911 instead of the shelter.

Signs of Heatstroke

Heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, restlessness, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue and unconsciousness.

What To Do

If you suspect your pet is in trouble, move him or her to shade or air conditioning and take steps to gradually lower body temperature with ice packs or cool towels (not cold) on the neck, chest and head only.

You don't want a drastic sudden change of temperature that will be a shock to your pet's body.

Take your pet immediately to your local vet or emergency clinic.

Leaving your animal friends at home where it's cool is the best medicine, according to Lyons.  "Prevention," is always better.

For a good source of information and tips to keep your animal friends cool this summer, visit www.mydogiscool.com.