Heat Advisory for our Fur-Babies
The hottest summer months are right around the corner and it is a good idea to take precautions with your pet. The article will discuss how to avoid overheating during the summer season as well as promoting hydration. To avoid unnecessary heatstroke, never leave your animal in a car, outside on a hot day or in an enclosed area such as an apartment or home during this time period for extended periods of time without proper cooling and ventilation. If you live in an apartment building, you may want to consider finding other ways for your pet to stay cool from where they can’t escape. Being mindful of how fatal the heat can be to our pets will save your pet and you heartbreak.
Domestic CATS and the heat
For Cats as an example, because their paws have too small a surface area to do much cooling, cats have developed additional strategies for coping with heat.
Cats have very small sweat glands on their paw pads and between their toes. You might notice tiny damp footprints on your floors from your cat on a hot day after they've spent time sunning themselves or if they're slightly stressed out. These little paw prints are normal. Most cats will be fine in carriers for up to 8 hours. Others might need a little more care and you may have to factor in a break every 2-3 hours
7 Signs of Your Cat Overheating
1.Cat panting, 2.Restlessness, 3.Rapid heartbeat.4.Dark red or grayish gums,
5.Lethargy, 6.Increased body temperature, &7. Vocalizing.
DOG-GONE HOT
Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car for any extended period of time. 120° in a matter of minutes—even with the windows partially open. Your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke or
suffocation.
As temperatures increase it's important to remember that dogs are susceptible to illnesses and injuries related to warm weather, like dehydration and heat stroke. Some dogs are more vulnerable to the heat than others, including those who have thick fur coats, flat-faces, are obese or elderly
During the day, experts recommend that adult dogs stay in a crate for no more than four hours and young pets no more than two hours. All of this assumes that you're in the car with enough air circulating to keep everyone in the car -- including your pet -- comfortable.
Generally safe to leave your dog in the car for a maximum of five minutes, and when the outside temperature is above freezing and below 70 degrees. Here are other tips to safely leave your dog in the car: During daylight hours, crack a window and park in a shady spot.
Changes can range from quite mild to more severe. Sometimes a female dog will become more affectionate and clingy with her owner, other times she may seem a bit grumpy. Appetite changes: It's not unusual for a dog to go off her food a bit during this first week, or she may get hungrier
SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STROKE IN DOGS
Heatstroke develops when a dog can't reduce their body temperature and it can be fatal. Signs of heatstroke include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, excessive salivation, lack of coordination, vomiting, & diarrhea.
TAKING TRIPS
For dogs, the best extra boost of comfort for a short trip is to provide. This will give your pet enough to drink and cool off sufficiently to keep them happy but not so cold that they need to go under the bonnet or into the boot of their own volition.
For longer trips the advice is different. Traveling, however, can be highly stressful for some pets. With some basic supplies and careful preparation, you can make your trip safe and happy for everyone involved. Make sure your pet is safe and secure in a well-ventilated, appropriately-sized crate or carrier.
Provide plenty of water, and even ice packs for pets to lie against. Signs that your pet may be in distress from heat exposure include lethargy, excessive panting (or any panting in rabbits), rapid breathing, shaking, drooling, excessive restlessness, and prolonged lack of appetite.
Image result for the repercussions of leaving pets in hot weather .A good rule of thumb is that pets are at risk for heatstroke once the outside temperature hits at least 80 degrees and a humidity of at least 90 percent.
What can you to keep your pet cool?
Encourage them to stay in shaded areas and away from direct sunlight
Introduce new games
Hide toys or treats and let your dog sniff them out.
Use toys or treats to encourage your dog's into a shaded paddling pool.
Freeze food or use special food puzzles to keep your dog stimulated without too much exertion.
Put down damp towels for them to lie on
Put the garden sprinkler on
Hot surfaces can really hurt your dog's foot pads, particularly sand or tarmac. If these surfaces feel too hot for you, the chances are your dog's thinking the same
So be kind to your furry best friends and keep their health in mind for this the summer season! These are just a few of the ways you can keep them happy and healthy throughout the summer!