If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you’re probably complaining about the record hot streak. I grew up in the area and have only once seen a stretch of multiple days in the 90s. Even a single ninety degree day is rare in our moderate maritime climate, so managing our pets’ comfort in this weather is a new experience for many of us.
I cringed a few days ago to see a man pedaling briskly on a bicycle with his dog panting alongside. Not only was the dog at risk of having heat stroke, but his pads must have been seared by the hot pavement.
Common sense would guide most people not to run their dog in the heat of the afternoon on hot asphalt, but obviously common sense doesn’t always prevail. The kind of people who need to read the following tips probably won’t see them, so you’ll be doing some innocent pets a service by spreading the word. Here are some ideas inspired by an article written by Cathy Herholdt in City Dog magazine, summer 2009 issue:
1. Keep your pets cool. Take them out for their walk before before you leave for work or after the evening cools down. Skip the dog park altogether when the weather gets hotter than your dog is used to.
2. Protect their pads. Please keep the dog off the hot pavement. Their pads really can burn. Think about whether you could tolerate going barefoot on the same pavement even with a thick pair of socks on!
3. Keep them hydrated and comfortable. Be sure they have plenty of water and a shady place to snooze away the day, preferably indoors with a fan on. If you have air conditioning in the car and your pets enjoy a ride, take them for a spin to cool down. Whatever you do, though, don’t stop to run a quick errand with your pets in the car. The temperature can shoot up to deadly levels in minutes, even with the windows open.
4. Be creative in perking up a flagging appetite. If their appetite wanes in the heat, try making “pet-sicles” out of beef, chicken, or vegetable broth, or plain frozen yogurt laced with chips of freeze dried liver or chicken breast, pressed into ice cube trays.
5. Protect against parasites. Don’t forget the veterinarian-prescribed flea and tick prevention. Some of the over-the-counter products are dangerous to your pet, so be sure you’re using a safe product.
6. Consider a summer cut. This might be the time to get a trim for your cat or dog. Yes, some people have their long-haired cats trimmed too, to keep them cooler when the mercury rises. Be careful not to go too short — an animal’s exposed skin can sunburn just like ours does. If your dog enjoys a bath or swim, now is the time to get out the wading pool.
7. Learn pet first aid. Be sure you know how to treat heat stroke if your pet is ever faced with it.
So be cool and keep your furry friends cool, too!
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