Heat Stroke and Summer Pet Safety
Although summer is coming to a close, we’re not out of the woods just yet when it comes to warm temperatures affecting our pets. Even the seemingly-cooler days of early fall can put your pet at risk for overexertion, dehydration, and heat stroke, if you’re not careful.
Keep your pet safe by keeping these tips in mind through the end of the season:
- Limit the amount of time you spend outside, especially during the hottest parts of the day
- Let your pet take breaks away from the heat by providing access to your air-conditioned house, a well-ventilated outdoor shelter, or clean water to play in (a kiddie pool, sprinkler, etc.)
- Provide easy access to plenty of fresh drinking water, day and night, indoors and out. A good rule of thumb is one bowl of water, plus one more, per-pet.
- Don’t forget to bring water (and a bowl) along when you go on walks or trips away from home
- Make sure your pet has access to a cool shady spot in the yard so that he or she can get out of the hot sun when needed
- Take your daily walks during the early morning hours or later in the evening
- Stay off of hot asphalt during your walks to prevent your pet’s paws from getting burned.
- Likewise, be mindful of hot truck beds and other surfaces that absorb heat, such as packed gravel and dirt.