Slowly but surely, the weather is warming. Soon enough, it’ll be scorching outside! Keep your pet safe during the hot summer months by following these tips from a Conway veterinary professional.
Keep Pet Hydrated
The number-one rule for hot weather safety is to keep your pet hydrated. Always have cool, fresh water on hand for them to drink. If you’re placing a water dish outdoors, check it regularly to make sure it doesn’t need refreshing or refilling. Also make sure your pet has a shady spot to hang out under-if there aren’t trees in your yard that create shade, try setting up a blanket or tent to make your own.
Watch Out for Heatstroke
Always be on the lookout for signs of deadly heatstroke-these include panting, drooling, weakness, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, and even seizures and collapse in severe cases. Avoid heatstroke by letting your pet cool off indoors periodically. Rush your pet to a cooler area if you do see any of these symptoms, then call your Conway veterinarian for further advice. He or she may want to examine your pet to make sure they’ll be okay.
Car Rules
Most pet owners already know not to leave their companion in a parked car when it’s hot out. Even on milder days in the 70-to-80 degree range, a parked car can quickly heat up to temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Either take your pet indoors with you, or leave them at home.
Watch the Windows
Do you open your windows when it’s warmer out to let the fresh breeze roll through your home? Make sure each window you open has a sturdy screen-every year, veterinarians treat fall-related injuries that are incurred when pets fall out of open or improperly-screened windows.
Avoid Asphalt
When the sun is out, blacktop can quickly heat up to unbearable temperatures for a pet’s paw pads. What’s more, a pet can easily overheat since their body is so much closer to the hot surface. Avoid painful blisters, sores, and the potential to overheat by steering clear of asphalt entirely.
