Summertime Tips
Summertime is a great time to be a pet! But there are a variety of things we can do to make it even better for our pets.
- Ensure that pets have water and shade at all times. With the higher temps in the summertime, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can happen quickly.
- Avoid heavy play and exercise during the hottest part of the day. This is especially important for breeds with short noses (Boston Terriers, Pugs, Frenchies, Shih Tzu, and Boxers) Playing and exercising in the early morning and late evenings preferred!!
- Leave your pet at home while you are running errands. Never leave your pet in a vehicle as it can heat up very fast and become deadly.
- Senior pets and those with underlying conditions may have a harder time adjusting to the heat, so keep a close eye on them.
- Be aware of chemicals used to treat lawns and antifreeze spills. Antifreeze is deadly if ingested and many lawn chemicals can have serious consequences.
- Do Not leave your pet unattended around a pool. Introduce them to water slowly and always supervise pets while near water.
- Summertime BBQs are great fun for us but make sure your pet doesn’t get into any of the food or scraps. It can cause stomach upset and blockages.
- Be sure to check the temperature of sidewalks and roadways before walking your dog on them. They can get hot enough to cause burns.
Signs of Overheating in Pets:
Knowing the signs of overheating in pets is vital to know when to seek medical attention. If you think your pet is overheating, be sure to contact your veterinarian right away.
The signs of overheating in pets are:
- Panting
- Excessive drooling
- Reddening gums
- Reduced urine output
- Rapid heart rate
- Vomiting
- Bloody stool and diarrhea
- Seizures
- Muscle tremors
- Uncoordinated movements while walking
- Unconsciousness
- Body Temperature over 104 degrees
If your pet is showing any of these signs, contact your veterinarian right away. Beginning prompt treatment can be the difference between a full recovery and a poor prognosis.
