How to Prevent Your Pet Getting Stressed This Summer

Summer is here and temperatures will soar! It’s lovely to sunbathe and soak in the sunshine. However, do ensure that your pets are not along with you soaking up the said sunshine. Summer temperatures put your pet at risk of burned paw pads, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. 

Unlike humans who can sweat and auto-regulate their body temperature, dogs can’t. They try to lose some heat by panting or sweating from the pads of their feet. If you have a Persian cat or a bulldog, pug or any other short-nosed breed then take extra care as they are susceptible to heat stress.

Whatever the breed these are a few precautions you can take this summer.

1.       Never leave your pet back in a car: Temperatures inside a closed parked car can quickly climb higher than the outside temperature. In fact, it’s illegal to do this in almost 16 States in America.

2.       Always keep cool fresh water available: It’s good to keep a few bowls of fresh drinking water around the house or outside in the shade.

3.       Do not exercise your dog during the hotter hours of the day: Between 10 am to 4 pm do not take them out. And make sure they do not ever walk on hot asphalt.

4.       Consider clipping your pet’s fur: This is best for long-haired breeds.

5.       A cool bath is always helpful: Dogs enjoy a swim or a run through a sprinkler. This is a good way to bring temperatures down.

Signs that your pet might be heat stressed

• Excessive panting that might go on to breathing difficulties
• Very red or pale gums with excessive salivation
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Severe agitation, weakness or disorientation
• Seizures that can lead to a comatose state

What to do to relieve the condition of stress

While it’s best to make a visit to your vet, before that there are a few things you can do to relieve the symptoms.  Apply wet cool towels to its chest and paws and keep a fan playing on it. Do not leave your pet unattended as you don’t want it to slip into hypothermia.  DO NOT apply Ice to its paws if you feel it’s overheated, sudden lowering of temperatures is not good. Never force it to drink water as it might choke. If it wants to though allow it.

So now that you know what to watch out for, here’s to a happy summer to you and your pet.