Help Pets Beat the Heat
You may want sun and surf in the summer but your pets want shade and water!!! Without shade and water, dogs, cats and other pets can overheat, become ill and die within a short time. Summer early spring or late fall is also heat related and when pets have the greatest risk of injury and heat-related health problems. Here are some tips to keep them cool.
Signs include rapid panting, lots of drooling, hot skin, twitching muscles, vomiting and a dazed look. Act quickly to cool down your pet – wrap it in a towel soaked with cool (not cold) water, or place it in a bathtub with cool water, or pour cool water over the pet. You can also put ice packs on the animal’s head. Consult your veterinarian if your pet has heat stroke.
Dogs can only sweat by panting or through the pads of their feet. Water loss from the wet surfaces of their mouth and nose helps lower their body temperature. Pets need fresh water at home and outdoors, so take water with you for your pet.
Sensitive paws burn easily. Water, sand and rock, at the beach reflect sunlight – your pet could get sunburn. Short hair pets and those with pink skin or white hair are most likely to burn. Control your pet’s exposure to the sun – limit the time and provide shade.
Keep air circulating indoors for pets – use a fan or air-conditioning. Provide shade outdoors for pets. A gentle sprinkle from a garden hose is also helpful to keep them cool.
Overeating during hot weather can lead to overheating so let your pets eat less. Also avoid exercise or vigorous activity during the hottest part of the day.
NEVER leave your pet in a parked car
Even with the window open slightly or parked in the shade, when the temperature outside reaches 60°F the temperature inside a car can reach 90°F in minutes. This is extremely dangerous to your pets. Although your pest may want to come with you, it is much kinder to leave it at home with plenty of fresh cool water and shade.
Hot weather response plan coordinates the efforts of many Cities in the suburbs of Detroit and community agencies to prevent illness during periods of extremely hot weather.
When hot weather becomes oppressive due to high temperatures and other factors, the Medical Officer of Health issues a heat alert. It may be upgraded to an extreme heat alert. A Heat Alert means that the conditions brought on by a hot air mass are such that the likelihood of additional deaths, above those that are typical for the same time of year, is more than 65 percent.
An Extreme Heat Alert means that the conditions brought on by a hot air mass are such that the likelihood of additional deaths, above those that are typical for the same time of year, is more than 90 percent.
When the Medical Officer of Health issues a Heat Alert or an Extreme Heat Alert it’s a signal for you to protect yourself and your pet from the effects of extreme hot weather. During the summer, pay close attention to your pet’s health. Arrange for cooling activities to bring its core body temperature down. This could save their lives.
Remember - the inside of a car is Dangerous AT ALL TIMES!
Even on mild days during the summer temperatures rise to dangerous levels in minutes. A few minutes can lead to tragedy.
Carry a spare key with you to avoid locking your pet accidentally in your car. If your pet is accidentally locked in your car, call 911.
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