Monthly Archives:' June 2014
You know, of course, not to leave your pet in a hot car. But what can you do when the temps out side are just unbearable for your friend who can’t take off his fur coat? We bring you these tips from The Humane Society of the United States so you’ll know how and where to cool your animals down when temps soar.
The summer months can be uncomfortable—even dangerous—for pets and people. It’s difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone thick humidity, but things really get tough in areas that are hit with the double blow of intense heat and storm-caused power outages, sometimes with tragic results.
We can help you keep your pets safe and cool this summer. Follow our tips for helping everyone in your family stay healthy and comfortable when the heat is on (and even if the power isn’t).
Practice basic summer safety
Never leave your pets in a parked car
Not even for a minute. Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die.
Learn how to help a pet left inside a hot car »
Watch the humidity
“It’s important to remember that it’s not just the ambient temperature but also the humidity that can affect your pet,” says Dr. Barry Kellogg, VMD, of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. “Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels—very quickly.”
Taking a dog’s temperature will quickly tell you if there is a serious problem. Dogs’ temperatures should not be allowed to get over 104 degrees. If your dog’s temperature does, follow the instructions for treating heat stroke.
Limit exercise on hot days
Take care when exercising your pet. Adjust intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible. Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.
Don’t rely on a fan
Pets respond differently to heat than humans do. (Dogs, for instance, sweat primarily through their feet.) And fans don’t cool off pets as effectively as they do people.
Provide ample shade and water
Any time your pet is outside, make sure he or she has protection from heat and sun and plenty of fresh, cold water. In heat waves, add ice to water when possible. Tree shade and tarps are ideal because they don’t obstruct air flow. A doghouse does not provide relief from heat—in fact, it makes it worse.
Cool your pet inside and out
Whip up a batch of quick and easy DIY peanut butter popsicles for dogs. (You can use peanut butter or another favorite food.) And always provide water, whether your pets are inside or out with you.
Keep your pet from overheating indoors or out with a cooling body wrap, vest, or mat (such as the Keep Cool Mat). Soak these products in cool water, and they’ll stay cool (but usually dry) for up to three days. If your dog doesn’t find baths stressful, see if she enjoys a cooling soak.
Watch for signs of heatstroke
Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke. Some signs of heatstroke are heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure, and unconsciousness.
Animals are at particular risk for heat stroke if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease. Some breeds of dogs—like boxers, pugs, shih tzus, and other dogs and cats with short muzzles—will have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat.
How to treat a pet suffering from heatstroke
Move your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to her head, neck, and chest or run cool (not cold) water over her. Let her drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Take her directly to a veterinarian.
Prepare for power outages
Before a summer storm takes out the power in your home, create a disaster plan to keep your pets safe from heat stroke and other temperature-related trouble.
I bet you remember a time when someone brought their not-so-well-behaved pup to a party. The dog barked and growled at an uncle all day. Maybe mauled a pack of frankfurter rolls and left his mark on the leg of the picnic table?
A slobbering, hyper monster can really spoil the fun when you’re at the annual 4th of July extravaganza.
Usually, it’s not the dog’s fault. A dog may be calm at home, but it’s hard to behave in a strange environment with new smells, new people and other new stimuli. But it can be frustrating or dangerous for guests when that excitement or fear hits.
A pleasant pup, on the other hand, can be a joy to have at an BBQ! Before you bring you best friend along to a gathering of family or friends, take a moment to review these helpful “petiqutte” tips.
Ask First.
Make sure your host is okay with your dog coming along. Maybe someone who’ll be joining the party is allergic to (or even frightened of) dogs. It’s hard to enjoy a burger fresh off the grill if you’re sneezing (or hiding). You won’t know unless you ask.
Be Honest with Yourself.
You know your dog better than anyone. If you think there is a chance your pup will become aggressive, destructive or otherwise act up, leave him at home or with a sitter even if you think it would be fun to have him along.
What if There’s a Fight?
You brought your well-behaved pooch along but he got into a scrape with another canine attendee or worse, nipped at a guest. Immediately get control of your pet. Do not make excuses or accusations. Offer sincere apologies and your contact information should the matter need to be addressed further. Remember vet, hospital, and court fees can add up but you might be responsible if your dog was the aggressor.
Dog Hugs and Kisses
Your dog shows affection with slobber and jumping. You may find it cute, but other people probably aren’t as charmed. If you haven’t already, work with your dog to greet others in a less intrusive way. Sitting, shaking hands or laying down are all nice alternatives. If your dog jumps despite your best efforts, don’t yell. Apologize and calmly move your pup somewhere else.
Nature Calls
Accidents happen. Unfortunately sometimes they happen on the patio. First, make sure your dog isn’t nervous, excited, or sick and then get to cleaning - quick! Spritz any mess with a cleaner, let it sink in and then pat or scrub dry. If your pet’s present leaves a stain, it is polite to pay for professional cleaning or to replace items.
Kids - The Non-Fuzzy Kind
Children can be scary for a pup. They can be loud, grabby and rough. If you’re dog isn’t good with kids or has never met children, please leave him at home and perhaps introduce him to children who are already familiar with dogs, and in small doses so that he may learn to be gentle with the little ones. No matter how well your dog is behaved. Never, ever leave a dog and child unsupervised.
Don’t Lose Track of Your Dog
Keep an eye out. Even the most well behaved dogs can act up if startled or over stimulated and we all know that when we’re not looking, the trash, picnic table and cupcakes can be fair game. Make sure that you or another family member is keeping an eye on your canine companion.
Pack for the Pup
Don’t assume your host will have a leashes, toys, a spare water bowl or bags to clean up after your dog. We even suggest keeping a cleaner in the car - just in case there’s an accident. Bring your usual kit with you and, while some one will surely slip him a bit of hot dog, don’t forget to bring treats!
Remember, shoddy dog-etiquette isn’t just an inconvenience, if it gets out of control, you might ruin an otherwise lovely cookout. So be informed, be considerate, and get out there and enjoy the summer fun with your best friend.