Pet Care in Hot Weather

By Eileen Salmas

As I write this it is raining and 60 degrees. But a week ago it was a record 113 degrees and next week it goes back up over 90. Some thoughts about what this means for animals and birds…

Dogs and cats and other creatures' normal temperatures are several degrees higher than those of humans. This may seem obvious from the way they pant, but it's a little known fact that they are unable to sweat. They lose heat through their tongues, noses, and footpads. Therefore it should go without saying that you should never leave your pet in a parked car in hot weather although we all know people do. Perhaps they don’t realize that this can be life-threatening?  It’s also illegal: California Penal Code 597.7 states it is illegal to leave or confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat.

In hot weather the best thing you can do is provide plenty of clean, cool drinking water at all times for your pets and for the birds and bees outside. They will need water before they ever need food. When you are away from home, make sure your pets bowl is tip-proof and, if they are outside, ensure there is enough shade and ventilation and keep them away from hot asphalt. This is especially important for short-nosed dogs like pugs and bulldogs. For the birds, some kind of birdbath or pond will work.

Don't take your dog on long walks or jogging in the heat of the day - exercise dogs in the cooler morning or evening hours and carry fresh water and a collapsible bowl so your pet can get a cool drink if needed. Use cool water, not ice water. Put cool wet cloths on their feet and around their head until the temperature drops to 103 F degrees. Stop the cooling process and dry the dog because further cooling can cause hypothermia and shock. Offer ice cubes for the animal to lick on until you can reach your veterinarian, but do not force ice or water on them.

Another myth is that shaving long-haired or double-coated dogs makes them cooler (or prevents shedding). Not true - in fact, you could harm your dog by exposing the animal to UV rays that will damage the skin, take a long time to heal and possibly cause dandruff and scaling after the hair has regrown.  You also shouldn’t shrink from using pet safe sun block on ears and noses-and on very shorthaired dogs directly on their skin. Make sure it’s a product made for dogs since they lick their skin and human products could be toxic.

Main source: Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA). Photo: Wikipedia/Ildar Sagdejev