Five Hot Weather Hazards: How to Keep Pets Safe this Summer

                                                Five Hot Weather Hazards: How to Keep Your Pets Safe this Summer

        Temperatures have been soaring the past few weeks as summer hits full stride.  As responsible pet owners, it is crucial to be aware of heat related dangers for our pets. Let’s look at five common hot weather hazards and tips to keep your pets safe and comfortable throughout the summer season.

1. Heatstroke:

Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a pet's body temperature rises to dangerous levels due to excessive heat and humidity. Dogs, especially short-nosed or brachycephalic breeds are particularly susceptible to heatstroke because they primarily regulate their body temperature through panting, which may not be sufficient during intense heat. Early signs of heatstroke include heavy panting, excessive drooling, lethargy, and unsteadiness. If left untreated, it can lead to seizures, organ failure, and even death

Prevention Tips: Avoid vigorous exercise during the hottest parts of the day, provide ample shade and fresh water, and never leave your pet in a parked car, where temperatures can skyrocket rapidly. Seek immediate veterinary care if you think your pet is having a heatstroke. Heatstroke is an emergency!

2. Paw Pad Burns:

Hot pavements and asphalt can cause severe burns to your pet's sensitive paw pads. When the ground temperature is high, it's essential to check the surface temperature before taking your pet for a walk. Burns on pads can cause blisters and peeling skin, pain, and lameness.

Prevention Tips: Walk your pets during cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening. If the ground is too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your pet's paws. Consider using protective booties to shield their paw pads or walk in the grass, not on the street.

3. Dehydration:

Pets can quickly become dehydrated during hot weather, leading to various health issues. Dehydration can be dangerous, especially for senior pets, young animals, and those with medical conditions.  Signs of dehydration can include lethargy, dry sticky gums, sunken eyes and loss of appetite.

Prevention Tips: Always keep a bowl of fresh, cool water available for your pet, both indoors and outdoors. Encourage them to drink frequently and consider adding ice cubes to their water dish to keep it cooler for longer.

4. Sunburn:

Yes, pets can get sunburned too! Light-colored or thin-coated pets, as well as certain breeds, are more susceptible to sunburn. Sunburn can be painful and increase the risk of skin cancer, especially in white cats and dogs.

Prevention Tips: Limit your pet's sun exposure during peak hours, provide shady spots in your backyard, and apply pet-safe sunscreen to exposed areas, such as the nose and ears.

5. Parasites and Pests:

Warmer temperatures facilitate the proliferation of fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests that can transmit diseases to our pets, such as Lyme disease, heartworm, and West Nile virus. Some intestinal parasites are more prevalent in warm weather due to increased availability of hosts.

         Prevention Tips: Ensure your pet is up-to-date on parasite preventatives for fleas, ticks and heartworm prescribed by your veterinarian. Keep your yard clean and free from standing water, where mosquitoes breed.

        With the proper precautions and care, we can safeguard our pets from the hazards of hot weather and allow them to enjoy the summer months safely. Remember, NEVER leave pets unattended in a hot car—if you must leave your pet in the car for any reason, make sure to leave it running with the air conditioner on—just leaving the windows down is not enough to keep the car cool. Provide a cool and comfortable environment and don’t leave pets outdoors for long periods of time in the heat, keep pets off hot asphalt and walk during the early morning or late evening when it is cooler and don’t forget to give your pet’s their parasite preventatives! Keep your furry friends cool and healthy throughout the summer season!

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/hot-weather-safety-tips

Personal Communication, information from AI source ChatGTP July 27, 2023