PREPPING FOR A PET-SAFE SUMMER
Warmer weather means being mindful of animals’ needs
While it’s not quite summer, temperatures are starting to soar. When the temperature rises, so do the safety risks for our furry friends.
We’ve compiled a list of summer safety tips to help keep your pets safe and happy during the warmer months.
Hot surfaces
Surfaces such as asphalt, sand and concrete can burn your pet’s paws. While the air temperature outside might be 77 degrees, asphalt can warm to 125 degrees; when the outdoor temperature climbs to 86 degrees, the asphalt temperature soars to 135 degrees.
To avoid risking injury to your pet’s paws, be sure to walk them early in the morning or later in the evening as the temperature cools down, or walk them on the grass.
If you are unsure if the pavement could be too hot, check the ground temperature by placing the back of your hand on the ground for at least 10 seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your pet’s paws.
Cars
Leaving your pet in your car, even in 70-degree weather, can lead to deadly consequences. A Stanford study found that a car’s interior can heat up by an average of 40 degrees Fahrenheit within an hour, regardless of ambient temperature. And 80 percent of the temperature rise occurs within the first half-hour.
For example, if it is 80 degrees outside, your car can heat up to more than 120 degrees in minutes. Leaving your windows partially rolled down makes little difference on the internal temperature, so it is best to leave your dog at home, where it is cool and safe.
Dehydration
Make sure to check your pet’s water dish several times a day, and refill it with fresh, cool water. Ice cubes or frozen broth cubes can be added to encourage them to drink more. If you have a backyard or porch that your pet frequents, make sure to keep another water dish there as well. Adding wet food to their diet can also keep them hydrated.
If you are on the go with your pet, make sure to bring water and a portable water bowl with you.
Heatstroke
This is a term used for hyperthermia, or an elevated body temperature, and can lead to brain damage or even death. Dogs cannot control their body temperature by sweating as humans do, so they primarily regulate their body temperature through panting.
Dogs suffering from heatstroke may be panting excessively, drooling, have a fever, may appear disoriented or lethargic, and can have seizures.
To avoid a potentially life-threatening condition, keep your pets in the shade as often as possible when outdoors.
Pools
While pools can be a great way to cool your dog down and prevent heatstroke, chlorine can upset a dog’s stomach and irritate their skin.
Keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t drink more than a mouthful of water, and don’t forget to rinse your dog with fresh water after their swim.
A “kiddie pool” filled with fresh, cold water is a safer option.
Sunburn
Animals can sunburn too, especially those with short, thin or light-colored coats. Just as in humans, sunburns can be painful, and overexposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer.
Ask your veterinarian about animal-safe sunscreens and how to apply them properly.
Barbecues
Food that is stuck to a barbecue after cooking can be too tempting for your pet to resist, but licking the barbecue grate can result in serious burns to an animal’s tongue or mouth. Make sure to clean the grill thoroughly and close the lid, if possible.
Lighter fluid is a poison, so store it out of your pet’s reach.
Forsyth is president and CEO of RedRover, a nonprofit organization that works to bring animals out of crisis and provide emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. For more information, visit redrover.org.