Keeping pets cool during the summer

[frugalandsimple]

Don't leave your pets in a parked car for even a short time. Every summer, animals left in parked cars suffer brain damage and die from heatstroke. On a warm day, even with the windows cracked open, the temperature in a car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes. If you see an animal in a parked car exhibiting signs of heat stress, call your local animal control agency or the police immediately.

Don't take your pets to crowded summer events such as concerts or fairs. The loud noises and crowds, combined with the heat, can be stressful and dangerous for pets.

Take extra care when walking or exercising with your pets when it is hot. Keep in mind that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pets' paws.

Provide plenty of water and shade for your pets to give them the opportunity to keep cool.

Avoid excessive exercise of dogs during hot days or warm, humid nights. The best time to exercise dogs is early in the morning or late in the evening. Don't force exercise.

Use fans or an air conditioner to help keep indoor pets cool.

Outdoor areas for dogs need to include adequate shade.

Paint your dog's house white. A white doghouse is 15 to 20 degrees cooler than an identical doghouse painted black.

Dogs in the water for the first time should be eased in, never thrown or chased in. Life vests for dogs are a good idea. Dogs should not be allowed to drink from pools, streams, lakes or the ocean. They should be rinsed off after a swim.

Dogs can get sunburned, especially shorthaired pets and those with pink skin and white hair. They can also get skin cancer. If your dog's fur is clipped in the summer, have the groomer leave an inch of fur for protection against insects and sunburn. Limit your dog's exposure to the sun, and apply sunscreen made for dogs.

On the hottest days, if they can't be inside with the air conditioning on, they at least need to be in a cool spot like a basement or garage. If they have to be outside, they need access to shade."

[Katybird]

Great advice.

[missyali]

I have also heard that if it is VERY hot, to avoid water but give them ice. That way they can't hork down the water, vomit and dehydrate themselves worse. After about an hour of ice and a/c, then you can give them water to drink.

[freyadog]

Freya and my cats stay in the house except to potty in the summer. My goats, chickens and rabbits have bottles of frozen water in their water containers ad also around in their beds so that they can lay up against them if they wish. However we have alot of shade and heavy brush so they can also lay up under that to help them stay cool.

[EmilyD]

My cat stays in all the time (litter box trained) and my dog just goes out to potty. We run the swamp cooler all day and I run my bedroom fan and a/c all day and night.

[Lori Biever-Launder]

Thanks for the great reminder!