Protect your dogs and cats from summer heat dangers

 

 

by Cate Ogden, Middlesex Pet Friends for Life – 

As we welcome August, Middlesex Pet Friends for Life (MPFL) wants to remind Middlesex County pet owners to keep their pets safe in the extraordinarily high temperatures we’ve been experiencing. It has been reported that people have had third degree burns from touching the pavement. Imagine what can happen to a pet’s paws on hot pavement, especially blacktop.

When the temperature outside is 87 degrees, asphalt and other pavement can rise to 140 degrees. Your pet might not appreciate wearing booties on your daily walks, but it beats a vet visit due to paw burns.

And don’t forget the importance of staying hydrated. Carry a sport bottle or watering device to allow you and your pet to drink when walking in the heat. Remember they can’t sweat to cool down.

Watch for signs of heat stress: heavy panting, glazed eyes, unsteadiness, a swaggering gait, vomiting or a deep red or purple tongue. If your pet does become overheated, cool him down gradually by sprinkling cool water on him or place a cool wet towel on the back of the neck, arm pits and groin area. Never soak him in cold water because body temperature could drop too low and too fast. You may offer cool water to drink, but don’t force him to drink.

Dogs and cats have normal body temperatures of 101-102 degrees. If the body temp reaches 104, they are in serious trouble.

Check out our pet pages on A2-A3 of this week’s Sentinel!