Protect your pets from these hot-weather dangers
Summer heat can bring safety risks for our furry friends. We’ve compiled a list of dangers to avoid to keep your pets safe during the warmer months.
A Hot surfaces: Surfaces such as asphalt, sand and concrete can burn your pet’s paws. Try to walk your pet early in the morning or later in the evening as the temperature cools down or walk them on the grass. If that isn’t possible, 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.
A Vehicles: 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 within an hour, regardless of ambient temperature, and 80 percent of the temperature rise occurs within the first half-hour. Cracking the windows makes little difference on the internal temperature, so it is best to leave your dog at home where it is cool and safe.
A 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. Adding wet food to their diet can also help keep them hydrated.
Heat stroke: In addition to making sure your pet is hydrated, keep them in the shade as often as possible when outdoors. While dogs and cats like to bask in the sun, direct sunlight can overheat them and cause heat stroke.
Pools: While pools can be a great way to cool your dog down and prevent heat stroke, chlorine can upset a dog’s stomach and irritate their skin. Watch 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 “kiddy pool” filled with fresh, cold water is a safer option.
Sunburn: Animals can
Asunburn too, especially those with short, thin or light-colored coats. 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.
Outdoor grills: Food that is stuck to a grill after cooking can be too tempting for your pet to resist, and licking it 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: This is a poison, so store it out of your pet’s reach.