As the summer heats up, we all love being outdoors, enjoying long sunny days with our furry friends. Remember that the American Red Cross offers pet first aid classes and a free Pet First Aid app (for Android and iPhone) to help you stay ahead of any potential health risks.
Summer Pet Safety Tips
In the hottest summer months, you can take precautions to keep your pet safe: make sure they have plenty of fresh water, always give them access to a shady place out of the sun and let them stay indoors when the temperatures get extreme.
There’s something deeply rewarding about being outside with our furry friends. Regular exercise is a great way for you and your pet to bond and stay active and healthy. When the weather is lovely, you’re going to want to put outdoor excursions top on your to do list but be mindful of the weather and willing to adjust. If temperatures sky rocket, bring pets back indoors and keep exercising to a minimum.
One of the greatest risks is leaving your animal in a parked vehicle, even with the windows cracked, temperatures can rise to dangerous levels in just minutes, putting your pet at risk of heat stroke.
So, what happens if you think your favorite furball is overheating? Look for excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased drooling, weakness, wobbliness or even collapse. Symptoms can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.
If this happens, move your pet out of the direct heat, and drop their temperature (normal canine body temperature ranges between 99.5-102.5ºF). You can do this by spraying them with cool water, placing their head, neck, feed, chest, and abdomen in water-soaked towels. You can bring them into the air conditioning and turn on a fan. If you suspect your pet is overheating, take them to the vet immediately.
Animals love to be outdoors and need exercise to stay healthy, happy (and out of mischief!). Now you know how to keep your best friend healthy and happy when the summer gets sizzling. More details are available when you download the free American Red Cross Pet First Aid app from redcross.org/apps. If you are interested in taking an online Pet First Aid class you can do that at redcross.org/takeaclass.