Keeping pets healthy and happy in the heat

I really worry about our four-legged friends in hot weather. Cats seem to have more sense than the rest of us. They do a better job at finding shade and cool spots in the summer. However, they need access to cool, fresh water at all times to stay cool and hydrated.
Dogs, on the other hand, are the victims of so much abuse and neglect when temperatures soar. Often pet owners simply don’t realize the dangers of summer heat until it is too late. Much of the precaution we need to take is common sense, but reminders of cautions bear repeating.
I have found several Web sites from which I have gleaned great advice for caring for our animals in the summertime: http://www.healthypet.com, http://www.weforanimals.com and http://www.aspca.org. Another source that proved helpful was the Animal Protection Institute, P.O. Box 22505, Sacramento, CA 95822.

Here are some of their tips:

Be cautious on humid days. Humidity interferes with dogs’ ability to rid themselves of excess body heat. When humans overheat, we sweat. When the sweat dries, it takes the excess heat with it. Our dogs only sweat around their paws, which is not enough to cool the body. To get rid of excess heat, dogs pant. Air moves through the nasal passages, which picks up excess heat from the body. As the dog releases the air from the mouth, the extra heat leaves along with it. This process is severely limited when the humidity is high or the dog is in close quarters. (http://www.healthypet.com)

Never leave your pet in the car! It is understandable that you want to take your dog with you when you go out. If you cannot take your dog with you when you leave your car, leave your dog at home where it is cool. On a summer day, the inside of a car heats very quickly, even in the shade. On a warm day, the temperature inside your car — with the windows slightly opened — will reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes. In 30 minutes, it will go up to 120 degrees. Your dog can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heat stroke when trapped in high temperatures. (http://www.aspca.org)

Make sure your dog does not overexert herself/himself. Do not force your dog to go running with you in the heat of the day — even if that is when you like to exercise. Walk your dog in the cool of the early morning or evening, after sundown. Exercising your dog immediately after he/she has eaten is a very bad idea. Be very aware of heavy panting in hot, humid weather, stopping to rest your dog if he/she seems exhausted. Take water with you on the walks when possible. In extremely hot weather, do not leave your dog standing on the pavement. Your dog is much closer to the pavement, and his/her body can heat up quickly. His/her paws can burn since they are not protected by shoes. In other words, use common sense! (http://www.weforanimals.com)

Provide plenty of shade for a dog staying outside the house. Always provide plenty of clean, cool, fresh water for your dog. Providing a properly constructed dog house would be most helpful. Dogs should not be chained outside under any circumstances. Ideally, bringing your dog inside during the heat of the day to rest in a cool part of the house is best. Be sensitive to snub-nosed dogs because they are affected by the heat even more than dogs with long snouts. Elderly, very young and sick dogs have a hard time regulating their body temperatures, so make sure they stay cool and out of the sun on steamy summer days. (http://www.healthypet.com)

Keeping your dog well-groomed is helpful in the heat. If your dog has a heavy, long, furry coat, trimming the dog’s fur to a length of 1 inch will help prevent overheating. Do not shave a dog down to the skin, as this robs him/her of protection from the sun. Mats and tangles will trap the heat. While we are on the subject of grooming and care, please take your dog to your veterinarian for a checkup. Heartworms are a very bad parasite for dogs and can be prevented with a year-round medication given once a month. Have your veterinarian recommend a safe, effective flea and tick control program also. (http://www.weforanimals.com)

Never let your dog run loose. There are too many dangers for your dog. He or she can contract a fatal disease, get lost when chasing a wild animal, be injured or killed if hit by an automobile or be stolen. This is your companion; keep him/her safe. Be alert for coolant leaking from your vehicle, insecticides or other chemicals.  Poisonings increase during the summer months when gardens, lawns and trees are sprayed. Call your veterinarian if you suspect your dog as been poisoned. (http://www.aspca.org)

Watch for signs of heatstroke: Panting, staring, anxious expression, refusal to obey commands, warm dry skin, high fever, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, collapse. If you suspect your dog has heatstroke, you must act quickly and calmly. Have someone call the veterinarian immediately. Lower your dog’s temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. It is imperative to get your dog to a veterinarian immediately. Once there, treatment can continue to cool your dog and apply fluid therapy to counter the shock. (http://www.healthypet.com)

The best cure: prevention. Your dog is relying on you to keep him/her out of harm’s way. Be smart and use common sense. Enjoy the summer with your best companion.