How to Keep Pets Cool During Heatwaves
Last updated 7/28/2024 at 8:12am
Summer is in full swing, and with that, temperatures across the country are reaching alarmingly high levels.
It’s hard to beat the heat even with easy access to air conditioning, icy drinks and refreshing swimming pools. And it can be just as hard for dogs and cats on these sweltering days.
To help pet owners keep their pets cool despite the rising temperatures, Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of cats and dogs in America’s shelters by 2025, is offering the below tips:
- Exercise dogs during the cooler morning or evening hours, not in the intense afternoon heat.
- Keep pets indoors if the temperature is lower inside during the hottest parts of the day. Quick walks and bathroom breaks are fine in extreme heat but try to keep pets in the shade.
- Be aware of the temperature of the sidewalk, asphalt, sand, or even packed dirt as these can cause burns to your pet’s paw pads if they are too hot. Consider a misting system to keep the outdoor areas cooler
- If pets do spend time outside during the day, ensure that they have access to shade at all hours of the day. Exercise pets in early morning hours or early evening to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat. Avoid strenuous runs or hikes. Be sure your pet has shade ALL DAY, if they are outside. Remember, the sun’s position changes during the day
- Dogs on tethers are especially vulnerable because they could become tangled out of reach of shade or water.
- If your dog is inside during the day, make sure you supply fresh, cool water that remains in a shaded spot throughout the day. Even sun coming through a window can heat a bowl of water, and many dogs won’t drink hot water no matter how thirsty they are.
- Provide pets with fresh, cool water at all times as most dogs won’t drink hot water no matter how thirsty they are. Keep your pets’ water supply in a tip-proof container, always topped off, and be sure it stays cool (pets will not drink water that is too hot)
- Dogs who are older or overweight, have a thick coat or a pushed-in nose are especially at risk of overheating. Grooming all dogs, even dogs with short coats, helps to keep them comfortable as the seasons change. A natural coat that has been groomed offers protection from sunburn and acts as cooling insulation. Shaving your dog’s coat will take away that protection, so it is inadvisable to shave any dog during hot weather. In fact, even shaving double-coated dogs isn’t a good idea. Dogs with double coats have an inner layer that traps air, allowing the dog to thermoregulate more effectively. When their coats are shaved down, they are unable to do that and are more susceptible to overheating.
- Dogs who are either hairless or have bald patches may need sunscreen. Be sure to get dog-approved sunscreen; you can consult your veterinarian about which brand to buy.
Never leave your pet in a parked car when the outside temperature is above 70 degrees.
Many studies show that the temperature inside a car on a 70-degree day can rise to 89 degrees in 10 minutes, and to 104 degrees in as little as a half hour even with the windows down an inch or two. Do not take your pets for car trips unless absolutely necessary. A car can heat up very quickly. Also, never let your dog ride in an open pickup truck bed. Not only is there a risk of physical injury from the open nature of the truck bed, but it’s especially dangerous in hot weather because truck beds are often dark colors, which can get very hot.
Dogs and cats can’t sweat like humans, so they pant to lower their body temperature. If they’re inside a car, recycling hot air, panting gives no relief, and heat stroke can occur quickly.
“Heat stroke can occur when an animal’s temperature rises to a critical level,” says Dr. Erin Katribe, Medical Director, Best Friends Animal Society. “Normal body temperatures for dogs and cats range from 100 to 102.5 degrees. When a dog’s temperature rises to 108 degrees, or to 106 degrees for a cat, they can suffer irreparable organ damage, or worse.”
According to Dr. Katribe, signs of heat stroke include heavy panting that does not resolve as the pet rests, increasing distress, a tongue color that is dark red to almost purple, weakness or collapse, hyper-salivation, vomiting and labored breathing.
If you suspect a dog or cat is suffering from heat stroke move him to a cooler environment immediately and apply cool water to the abdomen, ears, and footpads. Once they are stable, bring them to a veterinary clinic as quickly as possible. The animal may be experiencing issues internally that are not visible to you. A variety of situations — such as leaving a dog in a hot car, going for a midday walk with your dog, or simply leaving a pet in the yard with no shade — can contribute to an animal overheating. Katribe warns, things may be happening internally that are not obvious from the outside.
If you see a pet that is in imminent threat of death or injury, call the DAS emergency number at 619- 236-2341. For non-emergencies, call 619-767-2675.
About Best Friends Animal Society
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by 2025.
Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to around 378,000. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary.
Working collaboratively with a network of more than 4,300 animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All.
For more information, visit bestfriends.org.