Hot Weather Hazards -- Keeping Your Pet Safe
While enjoying the heat wave, it is important to keep your pets' safety in mind. Here are a few tips in having some safe fun in the sun:
- Hydrate! -- Pets can dehydrate very quickly; it is essential that plenty of clean water is available for pets when they are outdoors.
- Find some shade for pets whenever you are outside and do not overexercise them.
- Keep in mind the signs of overheating and bring your pet to a cooler location if they exhibit any of the following:
- Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
- Increased heart and respiratory rate
- Drooling
- Mild weakness
- Stupor
Bring your pet to a veterinarian immediately if any of the following symptoms are seen:
-
- Collapsing
- Seizures
- Bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Body temperature over 104 degrees
- NEVER leave pets alone in a parked vehicle -- cars get very hot very quickly.
- Give longhaired pets a summer haircut (but remember not too short so that the skin is still protected from the sun!) and brush cats more frequently -- this will help to prevent problems caused by excessive heat.
- Avoid hot asphalt as much as possible to prevent burning paw pads.
- If you have an air conditioner, make sure your pets have access to cool air while inside.
mplo
10:32 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
Any pets can overheat, but in birds, it can be a bit different. Indications of overheating in a bird can include open-beaked panting, and lowering and spreading its wings away from its body, as well as very tight, close feathers. The best thing to do is to avoid overheating a bird, and if the bird shows signs of overheating, spray it with a mist bottle full of water and/or put it in front of an A/C. If the signs of listlessness don't go away, get the bird to a veterinian immediately! If the power goes off, cover the bird's cage with a large, wet light-colored sheet, also, to keep it cool.