- Always provide fresh, clean water.
- Take walks early or late in the day and check the pavement temperature—if it’s too hot for you, then it’s too hot for your dog!
- Keep your pet current on heartworm, and flea/tick prevention. These critters love this hot weather too!
- Never leave your dog in a hot car. Temperatures can reach 100 degrees inside of a car on a 75-degree day in 10 minutes!
- Know the signs of heatstroke:
- Panting or salivating excessively
- Weakness
- Staggering or disoriented
- Vomiting
- Deep red or purple gums
- Dry, sticky gums
- Glazed eyes
- Rapid pulse
- Pets with short snouts, black pets, young, and old pets are more susceptible to heatstroke.
- Exercising in the heat, being in the yard without access to shade or water, and even poor ventilation inside without air conditioning can contribute to heatstroke.
- If you are concerned your pet has signs of heatstroke:
- Call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinarian
- Move your pet to a cooler area
- AVOID rapidly cooling your pet
- Apply cool (not cold!) water to the head, armpits, feet, and belly. If using cool, wet cloths continually replace them as they will start to retain heat.
