It’s essential to manage your pet’s temperature during hot summer weather, from dogs, cats, and rabbits to your squeaking guinea pig. Without the proper precautions, household companion animals may have a tough time regulating their body temperatures during those scorching summer days. Dogs pant, cats find a cold surface to lay on, and rabbits divert blood flow to their ears to keep cool. The way our pets regulate their body temperatures may not be enough to keep them safe. Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and other small animals, are susceptible to heat exhaustion while certain breeds of dogs and cats are equally at risk.
Keep Your Pets Cool for the Summer
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Posted: July 6, 2020 by Kayla Knudsen
It’s essential to manage your pet’s temperature during hot summer weather, from dogs, cats, and rabbits to your squeaking guinea pig. Without the proper precautions, household companion animals may have a tough time regulating their body temperatures during those scorching summer days. Dogs pant, cats find a cold surface to lay on, and rabbits divert blood flow to their ears to keep cool. The way our pets regulate their body temperatures may not be enough to keep them safe. Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and other small animals, are susceptible to heat exhaustion while certain breeds of dogs and cats are equally at risk.
What to do when you’re not at home:
If you’re stuck at home with your pets and are looking for a distraction, don’t force them to play if they are resting on particularly hot days. They could be lazy, but they might also be keeping their body temperature down. Check back in with them later in the evening for a round of fetch.
Although we may enjoy a fresh haircut in the summer, you should not shave your pets unless explicitly directed by your veterinarian.
A shaved coat prevents cold air from reaching their skin, and it doesn’t protect against the sun’s rays or bug bites. Cold air stays trapped against your pet’s skin when their coat is intact. Frequently brush your pet’s fur to keep excess hair out and help them look the best at the local dog park.
Sometimes things are out of our control, so it’s important to know the signs of heatstroke in pets.
Keep your veterinarian’s number saved in your phone for emergencies like this. You should give them a call right away if your pet is presenting any of the following symptoms:
Walking is an excellent exercise for your pooch.
During hot weather months, it’s important to remember that your pup’s paws are exposed to the heat of the surface they are walking on. If you can’t keep your hand comfortably on the walking surface for at least seven seconds, it’s likely too hot for your pup.
If your pup is still adamant about working on their summer body, consider the following tips for walking safely in hot temperatures:
Lastly, any pet shouldn’t be left in a vehicle for an extended time during extreme weather.
Check out the infographic below for more details and information on what you can do when you see a pet trapped in a hot car. We should all stay cool for the summer so we can continue making memories with our best buddies for the seasons to come.
Category: Education