Summer safety tips
As the Imperial Valley heat begins to set in, soon temperatures will begin to climb higher and higher. Scorching temperatures can be dangerous not only for people, but it is important to remember just how dangerous the heat can be for our pets.
Some believe that animals are more resilient than people and that they can withstand extreme conditions much better than we can. Although that is true for some animals, such as those that are native to desert and arctic regions, domesticated pets are not meant to tolerate such extreme conditions. Although it is highly recommended that all pets be kept indoors, we understand that is not possible for every household. During the summer months, the team at the Humane Society of Imperial County would like everyone to please always keep pets that must remain outdoors in constant mind.
Here are seven easy and economical steps everyone can follow to ensure that outdoor pets stay safe and beat the heat:
Please remember that outdoor pets must always have proper and plenty of shading and/or housing from the sun and other elements.
Outdoor pets must always have a supply of fresh food and water all throughout the day and must be kept out of the sun as well.
Make sure to check pets’ water every few hours throughout the day and maybe put in a few handfuls of ice to make sure that their drinking water is kept cool.
Placing a shallow kiddie pool with some water in it in the shade will also help to ensure that outdoor pets can stay cool and comfortable in the heat.
Another quick tip in keeping them cool and comfortable is by placing a fan in the shade and next to their bed, or even placing a window AC unit on a doghouse.
If you and your family are going to be away from home for an extended period of time, please consider boarding your pet with a pet daycare center, pet sitter or a local veterinarian. Another option would be to make sure that someone who is reliable can go to your home to check on your pets every couple of hours throughout the day.
Always keep in mind to never leave pets in cars. Whether the car is on with the AC running or the engine is off, and the windows are cracked, leaving an animal in a car is never a good idea. So much can go wrong in a short amount of time in this situation. If you need to make a quick stop and you have your pet with you, please make sure to take it home first. One quick stop is not worth losing your best friend.
Pets can succumb to heat stroke or overheating much easier than we may realize. There are certain types of pets that are more susceptible to heat stroke than others are. These include younger and older pets, pets that are in bad health, brachycephalic dog breeds (short nosed dogs such as pugs, English bulldogs, French bulldogs, Pekingese, Shih Tzus, boxers, Boston terriers, and some mastiff breeds), long-haired or thick-coated dogs (such as huskies, chows, poodles, collies, retrievers, sheepdogs, shepherds, terriers, etc.), house cats, any pets that are not typically used to be outside for an extended amount of time, and especially rabbits.
Some common signs of heat stroke or overheating in animals are heavy panting; dark or bright red gums; dehydration; excessive drooling; elevated body temperature (103 degrees or higher); vomiting; soft, bloody or even blacktar-like stool; changes in mental state; seizures; muscle trembling; wobbly or uncoordinated walking, and unconsciousness.
If you see that your own pet or someone else’s pet may be suffering from heat stroke or is overheated, please act right away! Some quick and easy things you can do to help save the animal’s life are getting the animal out of the heat and into the shade, offer the animal some cool water (not ice water), and place coolwet cloth on its paws and around its head. Immediately after that, please call a local family veterinarian and do exactly as instructed.
If a pet is locked in a car and is clearly in distress, please dial 911 right away and give them a license plate number and description of the vehicle. Make sure to also go into the place of business and notify management so that they can make an announcement. If you see a pet that is being kept in unsafe conditions, please make sure to immediately contact the appropriate animal control or police department so that an officer may assess the situation and respond accordingly.