PHOENIX — As much of the world swelters, it's not just people who need help with the dog days of summer. Pet owners have to consider how to both shield and cool down furry family members as intense — at times deadly — heat waves become more common.
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Essential dog and cat safety tips for the hottest days of summer
1. Learn the signs of overheating in pets.
Pets can’t tell you when they’re too hot, but you can learn how to identify overheating behaviors. In dogs, signs of overheating include panting, labored breathing, drooling, shaking, disorientation, and bright red or blue gums, and lethargy. Overheating in dogs can progress to tachycardia, seizures, vomiting, or bloody diarrhea if they don’t get water.
Cats show similar signs of overheating: panting, confusion, drooling, staggering, and a bright red tongue and gums. They may also groom excessively or stagger when they walk. Like dogs, overheating can quickly progress into a serious problem for cats, leading to tachycardia, vomiting, and diarrhea.
2. Keeping your pets hydrated is essential.
Hydration is essential for preventing heating in cats and dogs. Keep fresh water bowls inside and outside your house so dogs and outdoor cats can grab a quick drink on hot days. You should also keep a portable water bottle on hand for hot summer walks.
Buy it here: Gorilla Grip No Spill Portable Dog Water Bottle with Built-in Bowl, $19
3. Grooming keeps your pets cool, but don’t overdo it.
Keep your dog or cat’s coat brushed and free from matting and tangles to help them maintain a healthy body temperature on sweltering days. According to the American Kennel Club’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Jerry Klein, shaving a double-coated dog could make them hotter. The inner coat insulates the dog and traps heat in the winter, but it also keeps cool air close to the skin in hot weather.
If your dog or cat is showing signs of overheating, give them water and a quick, cool bath to bring their temperature down before going to the vet.
4. Avoid hot pavement.
Walking your dog early in the morning or after sunset is the best way to avoid overheating on hot summer days, but it’s not always possible. If you have to walk your dog during the hottest parts of the day, walk them on shady sides of the street, in the grass, or with special dog booties.
Buy it here: PawZ Rubber Dog Boots, $20
6. Swim safely.
Some cats and dogs recoil at the sight of water, but others range from curious about it to big fans. If you want to cool off with your dog or cat in a pool, lake, or ocean, make sure you’re watching them at all times, and invest in life jackets for pets who love to swim.
Buy it here: Outward Hound Granby Splash Orange Dog Life Jacket, $16
7. Adjust your routine.
In addition to walking dogs early or late in the day when the weather is cooler, you should also adjust the amount of exercise you do. If your dog loves coming on your daily runs, make sure you’re not running at noon. If you go on long hikes together, save that activity for more moderate days. Likewise, indoor/outdoor cats should be kept inside when the temperature is too high. When the pavement is too hot for your hand, it’s probably too hot for your cat’s paws.
