Seems obvious, right? As responsible pet owners, we know to not leave our pets in cars (even on mildly warm days!) or stuck out in the sun without access to shade. But what about more "in-depth" tips to keep our pets as cool and comfortable as possible for those times we must leave our pets as we go to work or other appointments?
This article is a follow up piece to an earlier tips to prevent heatstroke article.
Just having shade and a bowl of water may not be enough in a severe heat wave. When the ambient temperature is very warm, the water dish doesn't have to be in the sun to heat the water up enough were a pet will not drink it. I have chickens and geese and they require a lot of water to drink all year round. I don't want to find out firsthand, but I think that they would die of thirst before drinking warm water. Dogs and cats vary in their sense of taste/temperature, but fresh cool water is of course, the top choice for all animals.
In no particular order, here are some quick tips to ensure that your pet stays cool this summer and avoids any possible emergency situations, such as heatstroke.
- Water Keep water in the shade and make sure it is fresh every day.
- Keep it fresh If possible, have fresh "on demand" water available, such as a hose bib waterer.
- A refreshing cool down Or think of it as a "bath" without soap. Use a garden hose to wet down your dog or use a cool, very wet towel to wet down your cat for evaporative cooling. Once animals figure this out, many enjoy this quick water cool down.
- Poolside For animals that love the water, an inexpensive child's pool or poly rubber water trough make excellent "on demand" swimming pools for pets. Caution is advised - make sure that the pets are able to use the pool without risk of drowning (puppies, children). My geese would be lost without their kiddie pool.
- A sprinkle a day Setting up a sprinkler or drip hose works well for some animals. This keeps the water running and cool, allowing for a fresh water source on demand. Observe your pet to see how they react to a sprinkler or running water though; before assuming everything is fine. I set up a very small spray of water to keep the goose pool full and cool, but then realized that while they love playing in the spray while I have the hose, they weren't too keen on having the spray directed in the pool, and were avoiding the pool during the heat of the day. So much for my great idea!
- Always available water Secure the water dish to avoid an accidental spill. You may also want to consider adding another water bowl or two in your pet's area, just in case.
- Ouch - hot feet alert If you will be walking with your pet, remember that while paw pads are "tough" they are also sensitive, and can be burned while walking on hot pavement and tar. If possible, walk on grass or dirt, and check your pet's paw pads to make sure there isn't any redness or pain.
- Good grooming is important for your pet's health and comfort. Speak with a groomer or veterinarian to find out what is best for your pet. A full shave may not be the answer, depending on your pet's coat/breed, and caution is advised for white and light-skinned pets getting sunburned.
- Made in the shade If your pet must be outside, make sure that shade is available at all times. While home, be sure to check the area your pet is in - as the sun changes, is the shade still readily available?
- Loud summer noises If hot summer thunderstorms or fireworks are a possibility in your area, is your pet safe? If possible, arrange to have a friend or neighbor check on your pet during extreme weather (heat and storm activity) to make sure that your pet hasn't done anything out of the ordinary due to stress or fear that could risk injury or heat-related problems.
A summer heat scenario: an dog overheating due to excitement or stress (barking, jumping), knocking over the water dish, getting trapped somewhere trying to escape thunder, etc. -- these are all scenarios that can happen when animals are acting unpredictably due to fright or stress.
With some forethought and planning, we can keep our pets cool during the summer heat and avoid heat-related emergencies, such as heatstroke. Stay cool!
Photo: Dog Days at the Pool by AMagill on Flickr
