Pets are vulnerable to high temperatures, especially during a heat wave, and are unable to cool down their bodies as humans can. Animals left outside in high heat temperatures can suffer from heat-related stress, burned paws, sunburn, and even death. Pet owners are advised to follow these simple hot weather tips to keep their pets healthy, safe, and alive.
- Make sure pets have plenty of fresh clean water every day and that the water container is stable to avoid tipping over. If traveling or leaving home with a pet, always carry sufficient drinking water for it.
- Bring pets inside during the hot time of the day and let them rest in a cool part of the house.
- Make sure pets have plenty of shade if they are to be kept outside. Remember, the shade your pets have in the morning will either change or diminish throughout the day and may not protect them.
- Never leave pets in a parked vehicle. Even in the shade with windows cracked, temperatures inside can quickly reach a dangerous 120 degrees and that can kill any animal!
- Don’t force animals to exercise when it is hot and humid. Exercise pets early in the morning or late
in the evening. - In hot weather, do not let pets stand on sidewalks or hot asphalt to avoid burning their paws.
- Pets can get sunburned too! Keep pets out of the sun during peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Put sunscreen on pet’s unprotected areas such as tips of noses and ear tips, especially on short-haired, fair-colored pets.
Remember pets can suffer heat-related stress and danger just as humans can, so take extra precautions and protect them.
Source: Adapted from Heat safety tips for pet owners. San Bernardino County, CA. Retrieved January 2015.
