This time of year, it's important to keep your pets out of the heat. Check out this advice for help.
For the first year of his life, my miniature schnauzer, Earle, was a Manhattan resident, and that year included one very long, hot summer. My fiancé and I lived on the top floor of a four-story walk-up, and each morning Earle and I would make our way down the stairs and outside into the smoldering sun. Most days, we were lucky enough to catch at least two or three doormen hosing down the pavement in front of their buildings. These kind gentlemen were always more than willing to take a quick break to let Earle play in and drink up the water. Other days were not so easy. During weekend walks to Central Park, there was often not a doorman with a hose or a sprinkler on-site. Regardless, we always carried an aluminum bowl and a large bottle of water everywhere with us that summer, stopping frequently in the shade so Earle could rest and drink. On unusually hot and humid days, we wouldn’t even risk leaving the comfort of our air-conditioned apartment.
Animals, unlike humans, are more limited in their ability to bring their body temperature down. Dogs and cats both cool themselves mainly by panting through their mouths and sweating through their paws. If you’re like me, you find your pet gloriously lovable and you want to know exactly what to do to keep him safe in the summer heat. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “The May–July period was the warmest on record for the Northeast and Southeast climate regions.” This means that if we choose to take our pets outside, we must make sure they’re not getting too hot.
Signs of Stress
Animals will display certain clear physical signs when they’ve had enough of the warm weather. Some of these signs may include excessive panting; eyes that appear listless or glazed; overall weakness; rapid heartbeat; vomiting and/or diarrhea; excessive drooling; and gums that look dark red, purple, or blue. Some genetic or physical factors put certain animals more at risk than others. Breeds with short or smooshed noses or longer hair or fur may have a more difficult time cooling off. Short-faced cat breeds, such as the Persian, and dog breeds such as the Boston terrier, which have Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome (a partial upper-airway obstruction caused by having a short head), may have a harder time breathing even in normal temperatures and may require special attention in warm weather. Elderly animals, animals that are overweight, and pregnant animals may also be more susceptible to overheating.
Keeping Kitty Cool
Help your cat relax. This means keeping the catnip in the cupboard and refraining from encouraging extended play sessions with her favorite toy. The more active an animal, the more vulnerable to heat exhaustion she becomes.
Place a towel or sheet over the piece of furniture on which she usually lies. These fabrics act as a cooling barrier from standard upholstery, which tends to hold heat in more. Encourage her to lie on the bathroom or kitchen floor. Marble, tile, and wood surfaces are usually substantially cooler than carpets or rugs. Also, many cats enjoy getting inside sinks and bathtubs; turn the water on to a very minimal drip so that they can have constant access to fresh water. A dark, cold basement is also a great place for your cat to hang out during particularly hot days. If you feel neglectful leaving your cat alone in a dark basement for extended periods, make a cozy spot for her and leave a light on.
Place fans around the house to keep the air circulating and to provide a breeze. If you have ceiling fans, keep them turned on. Maintaining constant air circulation makes a big difference.
Be sure to keep her well-groomed during the summer. Fewer mattes and snarls mean more air can easily pass through her coat.
Keep her out of her favorite sun-filled window spot. Sometimes animals don’t have the common sense to figure out what’s making them uncomfortable.
Dodging the Dog Days
Remember that all dogs should have access to plenty of fresh water at all times. Dr. David Gordon, a veterinarian at Mission Pet Hospital in San Francisco, advises, “On hot days, you should give your animal water before you go out, as well as while you’re out.” It’s also important to keep the water in a tip-proof bowl in case they’re home alone and spill it (as dogs often do). Sometimes, when housebreaking a small puppy, veterinarians or professional trainers will advise you to take away his water at night to help control accidents. However, this isn’t advisable if you live in an exceptionally warm climate.
Keep his hair short, not shaved. While shaving your dog’s fur or hair may help allay his rising bodily temperature, it may also put him at risk of getting a sunburn. It’s best to just keep his hair cut short; this will help alleviate some of the heat while still protecting him from the harmful rays of the sun.
Keep ice cubes in his water bowl when you can. This will not only keep him chilled out, but will also keep his mind alert and his senses stimulated.
Take your dog swimming. Whether it’s a pool, a lake, or an ocean, submersion in water will help mitigate body warmth tremendously. However, never take your dog to the beach unless there’s shade and fresh water available, and be sure to always rinse salt water off his body.
Be aware of exertion levels. Dr. Gordon points out “You should have an idea of what level of exertion your dog is used to and you shouldn’t push your pet too far beyond that level.” Given San Francisco’s moderate year-round climate, Dr. Gordon has not seen many dogs with heat stroke. However, he admits the few times he has, “It’s either been athletic dogs like labs, who’ve been exerting themselves like nutters on a hot day or dogs who can’t easily move air through their upper airways.”
Take walks early in the morning and in the evening after the sun has gone down. Avoid going outside during the late afternoon when temperatures are often peaking. National Weather Service forecaster Suzanne Anderson recently affirmed to me that the hottest times of the day for all parts of the country are generally in the afternoon between 3 and 5 p.m.
Never leave your dog in a confined area, such as a car, on a hot day. It’s also not a good idea to leave him outside for extended periods during the summer.
Common Sense
Even if the region you live in isn’t experiencing record highs this summer, it’s important to always be cautious and use common sense. Dr. Gordon explains, “If it feels super hot to you, then it does to your dog (or cat), too, and you should behave accordingly.”
By Jennifer Blevins for Divine Caroline