Hot weather can be dangerous for your family pets. Don't ever leave them in a hot car, if possible keep them inside, out of the heat and give them plenty of cool water. If chickens are your pet choice, make sure they have fresh, clean water and a shady spot to lounge.
Hot weather can prove dangerous for your furry friends and the American Red Cross has steps you can take to help your pets stay safe this summer.
Don’t leave your pet in a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees even with the windows cracked open.
Keep all unscreened windows or doors closed so pets don’t fall out of them.
Trim longer hair, but never shave your dog.
Brush cats more often than usual to help prevent problems caused by excessive heat.
Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool. Don’t let your pets drink from the pool, ocean or lake.
Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats.
Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from their fur.
Avoid hot surfaces, such as asphalt, that can burn your pet’s paws.
Don’t walk, run or hike with a dog during the hottest parts of the day or on particularly warm days.
Make sure your garden plants are safe for pets.
HEAT STROKE Animals can suffer heat stroke in warmer weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are especially prone to heat stroke, along with overweight pets, those with extremely thick fur coat or any pet with upper respiratory problems such as laryngeal paralysis or collapsing trachea.
Some of the signs of heat stroke in your pet are:
Heavy panting and unable to calm down, even when lying down
Brick red gum color
Fast pulse rate
Unable to get up
If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.
Download the Red Cross Pet First Aid app for more information on how to include pets in emergency preparedness plans. The app also features step-by-step instructions for first aid emergencies, toxic substances, a pet profile for storing tag ID, photo and medical information, early warning signs for when to contact a veterinarian and an animal hospital locator. Users can find it in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross, texting GETPET to 90999 for a link to download the app or going to redcross.org/apps.
You can also take the Red Cross Cat and Dog First Aid online course so you’ll know what to do in an emergency until veterinary care is available. You can access the course on your desktop or tablet at redcross.org/catdogfirstaid and go through the content at your own pace. The interactive course includes:
How to determine a pet’s normal vital signs so owners can notice if there are any irregularities
Step-by-step instructions and visual aids for what to do if a pet is choking, needs CPR, has a wound, or is having a seizure
Information on preventative care, health and tips for a pet’s well-being
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.
