As summer solstice approaches bringing the official start of summer, the temperatures are also beginning to rise daily.
As the temperatures head upward, pets are put at an increased risk for heat-related injuries.
“Lots of animals just can't tolerate the heat,” Town and Country veterinarian Dr. Brian Biddle said. “Especially dogs that have a hard time breathing like pugs or bulldogs.”
According to Biddle, animals can become overheated very quickly without their owners immediately realizing.
“If they start to pant or become stressed, the heat can get to them before you know it,” Biddle said.
While overheating is a large issue for all animals, other injuries such as sunburn can also occur in fair skinned animals.
“Sunburns can occur, especially on white furred dog and cat breeds,” Colonial Heights veterinarian Dr. J.T. Williams said. “A lot of people don't realize that. It is especially common on the nose and ears of the animal.”
On very hot days, the blacktop or pavement can become too hot for an animal and could result in burns on the bottom of their feet.
“A year or two ago I had a dog at the clinic with burned paws from walking on the blacktop too long,” Dr. Biddle said. “If it is too hot for them to walk on the blacktop, you may consider walking them in grassy areas or taking them for a walk in the early morning or late evening instead.”
According to Williams, some pet owners may take their animals to get their hair shaved so that they will be cooler throughout the summer months, but for some breeds that might actually make them hotter.
“There are breeds that have an extra layer of fur for insulation for the summer and winter seasons,” Dr. Williams said. “If you are going to totally shave off their hair, those breeds may actually become hotter. I think it would be good for people to contact their vets or groomers to find out if their pet should be shaved in the summer or not.”
According to both Biddle and Williams, the best thing you can do for your animals to make sure they don't overheat, is to make sure that they have plenty of water and some shade.
“Make sure they have water and shade,” Williams said. “Dogs can't sweat, so if they are panting they are getting too hot. If your dog actually has a heat stroke you can help by putting rubbing alcohol on their foot pads which will help take the heat away and bring their body temperature down.”
Both Biddle and Williams also recommend giving your dog a minor water bath if they become overheated, which will also help to bring their body temperature down.
“Limit time outside, especially if it’s a breed that has a hard time breathing,” Dr. Biddle said. “On the really hot times during the day, only take them out to use the bathroom and if you have any concerns at all call your veterinarian's office.”
Maysville resident John Truesdell, thinks that it is very important to keep his dog Juno hydrated when it becomes hot outside.
“I normally take a bottle of water with me if I'm walking very far to keep her cool,” Truesdell said. “I think it's really important to keep plenty of water in her so she doesn't overheat.”
“I had a doggie door installed so they can come and go as they please,” Ann Marie Poole of Manchester, Ohio, said. “That way if they are too hot, they can come back in the cool air conditioning. It was definitely my best purchase for their fenced-in yard.”
While putting ice cubes into the animal's water dish was a popular answer among viewers, Williams reminds pet owners to make sure their pets don't harm their teeth because of the ice cubes.
“A lot of dogs and cats like ice and it kind of gives them a reason to go to their water bowl,” Williams said. “The downside is that if they chew the ice, they can chip a tooth depending on the strength of their teeth. If you’re going to put ice in your animals water dish, I would recommend putting crushed ice cubes into their water bowl instead.”
Other suggestions include providing a small pool for animals to cool off in, keeping them inside in the air conditioning, purchasing dog shoes or covers to protect them from hot asphalt and purchasing a cool coat, which is a coat designed to keep dogs cool by using natural evaporative cooling.
For more information on protecting your animals from the heat, contact your local veterinarian.
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