Top tips to keep your pets safe from the summer heat
Are you feeling the heat? So are your pets!
With temperatures rising across Metro Vancouver above 30 degrees Celsius, it’s important to keep your pets safe from the heat.
Dogs and cats can’t sweat like us humans so their internal body temperatures rise more quickly [1]. They have limited capacity to deal with the heat and that can lead to heat stroke [2].
Which dogs and cats are more sensitive to heat stroke [3]?
Flat-faced breeds
Breeds with thick fur coats
Overweight pets
Senior pets
Puppies and kittens
Look out for signs of overheating [2]
If you notice any of these signs, take your pet to the vet as soon as possible.
Heavy panting
Heavy drooling
Trouble breathing
Rapid or erratic heartbeat
Dark red gums or tongue
Agitation or dizziness
Staring expression
Weakness or lack of coordination
Convulsions or vomiting
Collapse
Here are some things you can do to help your pets feel cool in the summer
Do not leave your pet in your car – even with the windows rolled down.
Ensure you have plenty of water available and keep it in a shaded area.
Plan your long walks with your dog early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperature is cooler.
If you need to walk your dog in the middle of the afternoon, walk in shaded areas and let your pets relieve themselves on grass. Pavement can burn your dog’s paws.
Keep your pets inside when it’s hot.
Take breaks when you’re exercising your dog and look out for signs of overheating.
Make homemade icepacks like a frozen bottle of water. Wrap it in a towel so your pets can lie on it. Don’t use commercial ice packs since the chemicals can be dangerous if it pops or leaks.
Close your curtains or draw your blinds down. Darkening a room can help limit the amount of heat and sun that enters the room.
Keep a fan or air conditioning running to circulate the air and keep your pets cooler.
Make a cool cave for your cat. They love cooling down under furniture. Place a tablecloth over a small table on a tile floor.
We hope these tips will help your pets feel more comfortable in this heat.
-
The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA). Leaving dogs in cars: Avoid heat exhaustion and save lives. https://spca.bc.ca/news/do-not-leave-animals-in-hot-cars/?utm_source=news-sensitivedogs&utm_medium=relcon&utm_campaign=nohotpets&utm_co%E2%80%A6
Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA). Pet Safety Tips. https://www.ovma.org/pet-owners/basic-pet-care/pet-safety-tips/
The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA). Is your dog extra sensitive to hot weather?
https://spca.bc.ca/news/dogs-sensitive-hot-weather/?utm_source=news-summersafety&utm_medium=relcon&utm_campaign=nohotpets&utm_content%E2%80%A6
4. WebMD. How to keep your dog cool insummer.https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/features/dog-cool-summer