Summer Pet Tips: How to Keep Pets Safe in the Heat

​**Overheating can be a serious, life-threatening emergency! If you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, call Mountainside or your nearest emergency hospital immediately. (971) 405-1111**

There’s something special about spending long, warm summer days with our pets. But with Oregon’s summers getting warmer, it’s important to keep pets safe in the heat! By taking a few precautions and knowing how to recognize signs of overheating, we can make sure your pets stay safe this summer.
 
Keeping Pets Safe in the Heat

Whether it’s a three digit scorcher or just a warm summer day, these tips can help you keep your pets happy and healthy.

Keep pets hydrated

In general, dogs should drink approximately 1 ounce of water per pound of their body weight. Most cats need about 4 ounces (about ½ cup) of water per 5 pounds of body weight per day. But in hot weather, pets can get dehydrated quickly! 

Make sure they have access to plenty of fresh, clean water on hot days. Cats, especially, may avoid bowls with dust, hair, or other debris in them. It’s important to keep water bowls clean and filled with fresh water. You can even add ice cubes to pets’ water to help keep it cool. If you’re hiking, running, or camping with your dog, always pack enough drinking water for them as well. 

Offer frozen treats 

If you’ve ever had ice cream on a hot day, you already know the joys of frozen treats during the summer. While ice cream isn’t the best choice for our pets, there are plenty of other frozen treats you can make to help them beat the heat. 

For dogs, you can offer small pieces of frozen fruit like watermelon, blueberries, or banana. Important: grapes are toxic for dogs and should never be offered as a treat, frozen or otherwise! You can also freeze some wet food, a low-sodium broth, or peanut butter into a kong. 

For cats, try freezing small servings of their usual wet food or pate. Make them extra cute with a playful ice pops tray. They might also enjoy low-salt broth frozen into ice cubes or frozen Churu treats. 

Look for cooling gear

These days, you can work smarter not harder to keep pets cool. Special summer gear like cooling gel beds, neck gaiters, and even vests or harnesses can help keep your pup cool. With the right equipment and a solid hot-weather strategy, you and your dog can explore all through the hottest days of summer.

Make sure they have shade

Many pets enjoy lounging outdoors on warm summer days. But any time they’re outside, make sure there’s somewhere shady for them to relax. Trees and shrubs make excellent natural shade sources. If there’s nothing else available, hanging a tarp or old blanket can provide shade in a pinch. 

Avoid the hottest part of the day 

Plenty of pet owners love coming home from work and walking the dog. But here in Oregon, that often means walking during the hottest part of the day. Because of something known as the thermal heat lag, the hottest part of the day tends to occur between 5pm and 6pm. Whenever possible, we recommend walking the dog before things heat up in the morning or waiting until the heat begins to wane in the evening. 

If you have to take your pet out during the heat of the day, always check the asphalt temperature first! The best way to do this is to hold the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for their paws. You can also plan for a shorter walk or less intense exercise if you’re going to be out during peak heat. 

Never leave animals in parked cars

This is the most important tip we can offer to keep pets safe in the heat! Even on a mild summer day, the temperature inside your car can skyrocket in just minutes. In fact, hot cars are so dangerous for pets that Oregon has laws in place to protect them. People who intentionally leave an animal in a hot car can be charged with animal abuse in the second degree.

So, how hot is too hot? According to our friends at Hill’s, it's generally safe to leave your dog in the car for up to five minutes when the outside temperature is above freezing and below 70 degrees.  We recommend your windows are cracked when the sun is out regardless of the temperature.  

Know the Symptoms of Overheating

Even with the appropriate precautions, some pets will be more sensitive to overheating than others. That’s why it’s so important to recognize the symptoms of overheating. 

For dogs, symptoms of heat exhaustion include: 

• Excessive panting, drooling, or salivating
• Bright red tongue, gums, or insides of ears
• Wide, stressed eyes and signs of general discomfort
• Slowing down or stopping on walks

For cats, symptoms of heat exhaustion include: 

• Panting or drooling
• Sweating from their paw pads
• Excessive licking as they try to cool their fur down
• Restlessness or anxiety

Signs of a heat stroke emergency include: 

• Gums that have turned pale
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or dark red urine
• Stumbling, dizziness, or seizures
• Collapse and loss of consciousness

If you’re worried your pet is experiencing heat-related distress, consider taking their temperature. The normal body temperature for dogs and cats is between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Elevated temperatures could signal heat stress or other conditions like fever or infection. Body temperatures above 105 F are considered life-threatening.

Safely Cooling Down an Overheated Animal

Hyperthermia, or body temperatures over 103 degrees, is an immediate medical emergency. Safely reducing your pet’s body temperature is the first priority! However, it’s important to cool them gradually to avoid rapid vasoconstriction (AKA contraction of the blood vessels) and triggering a shock response.

Start by pouring cool/tap water over their head, stomach, armpits, and feet. You can also apply cool, wet towels to these areas but be sure to change them frequently. Otherwise, you risk them warming up and trapping heat rather than dispelling it. 

Next, load your wet dog into the car and drive to your vet’s office or the nearest emergency hospital. You can drive with the A/C on and windows down to promote evaporation, which can help lower warm body temperatures. If you can, call to let the veterinarian know you’re coming so they can act quickly when you arrive. 

Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer! Know the Basics of Heat Safety. 

When it comes to hot weather, you are your pet’s first line of defense! With a few precautions and a little bit of planning, you can make sure they have a safe and comfortable summer. If you ever have concerns about your pet overheating, get in touch with our team or your nearest emergency hospital as soon as possible. By taking quick action, you can protect your pet and reduce the chances of serious health impacts. ​