Barbecues and fun outdoor activities make summer a great season for pets, but the heat can create a pressure cooker of problems and potential disasters. How can you and your pet enjoy the dog days of summer without risking your pet’s health and safety? We provide the answers in the following heat safety guide from Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital.

DO: Visit the veterinarian for a summer health check

Routine veterinary exams and wellness screenings help ensure your pet is in tip-top condition from nose to tail. You do not need to feel embarrassed about being behind on your pet’s veterinary visits—our knowledgeable and compassionate team will welcome you back and ensure your pet receives the attention and care they deserve.

Wellness care is invaluable year-round, but is especially important during extreme weather seasons, such as summer and winter. Certain pet populations are especially vulnerable to heat-related conditions, including:

  • Senior and geriatric pets
  • Puppies and kittens
  • Brachycephalic pets
  • Overweight and obese pets
  • Ill or debilitated pets

DON’T ignore heatstroke warning signs in pets

Pets who suffer from heatstroke, which is potentially fatal, experience severe hyperthermia (i.e., body temperature above 40 degrees Celsius). Heatstroke most frequently occurs in a pet left outside or in a parked car, or who exercises too vigorously during warm weather.

All pet owners should memorize heatstroke warning signs, so they can recognize mild distress and take immediate action before the condition becomes critical. Signs from mild to severe include:

  • Excessive panting
  • High heart rate
  • Excessive drooling
  • Mental dullness or confusion
  • Lethargy
  • Weakness or loss of coordination
  • Dry or tacky gums
  • Unusual gum color (e.g., brick red, grey, blue, or purple)
  • Vomiting
  • Collapse
  • Seizures

If your pet is showing mild heatstroke signs, take them immediately to an air conditioned space and provide cool fresh water. Wet down your pet’s fur with cool—never cold—water and position a fan nearby. If possible, periodically check their temperature to ensure they are improving. Call Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital or the nearest veterinary facility for further guidance. 

Immediately transport seizing, unresponsive, or severely weak pets to the nearest emergency veterinary center.

DO ensure your pet has unlimited access to water and shade

Pets who are exposed to the sun and panting heavily can rapidly dehydrate and require hospitalized treatment to prevent long-term complications, such as kidney damage. When your pet is outdoors, ensure they have unlimited access to fresh, cool water and ample shade, and check frequently to ensure the water hasn’t evaporated or become warm and that the shade hasn’t moved. Always stay outdoors with your pet to monitor their comfort and take them inside frequently for breaks.

Encourage appropriate water consumption in your pet by supplementing their water with low-sodium chicken or beef broth, feeding them frozen fruit (e.g., watermelon, berries, bananas), food-stuffed frozen Kongs, and adding wet food to their diet.

DON’T leave your pet in a parked vehicle for any amount of time

Parked vehicles act like greenhouses and can reach dangerous temperatures in as little as 10 minutes, despite the windows being cracked and the vehicle being parked in the shade. Trapped pets experience significant physical and emotional distress as interior temperatures reach searing levels and the pet’s attempts to cool themselves (e.g., panting) begin to fail. Sadly, despite increased public awareness, many pets die in a parked vehicle every year.

Avoid this needless tragedy by always taking your pet with you at your destination—or leave them at home. Remember, heatstroke can happen in a matter of minutes and cause permanent heartache. 

DO limit your pet’s outdoor activity during warm weather

Reschedule your pet’s regular walks or outdoor activities for the cooler mornings or evenings and consider reducing exercise intensity during excessive heat. Limit all outdoor activity especially for at-risk pets, including brachycephalic (i.e., flat-faced) breeds, and overweight, elderly, and young pets. When you venture outside, avoid heat-retaining surfaces such as asphalt, concrete, and artificial turf, which can burn your pet’s paws. Before you cross streets or parking lots, ensure the surface is safe for your pet by holding your hand there for five seconds. If this is uncomfortable or impossible, look for a grassy path or consider investing in a pair of dog boots.

DON’T skip your pet’s parasite prevention

Sunshine and warm weather bring everyone to the party, including pesky parasites, such as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. Parasite populations surge during the summer and all the pests feed on unsuspecting prey, including people and pets. These parasites can not only give a painful bite but also transmit harmful diseases, including heartworm and Lyme disease.

And, if you thought your indoor-only pet was safe, think again—fleas and ticks can slip inside on clothing, skin, or other pets, while mosquitoes can fly through open windows, doors, or screens. So, bite back against parasites by ensuring your pet receives year-round parasite prevention.

Heat-related emergencies in pets can be devastating, but a few thoughtful precautions can chill the risks and help ensure you enjoy an un-fur-gettable summer season with your favorite four-legged companion. 

For additional safety tips and parasite preventive recommendations, or to schedule your pet’s summer wellness appointment, contact Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital.