This week is going to be a tough one on our furry friends. The forecast high temperatures range from 95-104⁰F for this week. On top of that, firework sales have begun and the 4th of July is Saturday.
Heat
First, let’s start off discussing the heat. Now, if your pet is 100% indoors, you can skip down to the Fireworks section. Even animals that are acclimated to the heat, still need to be closely monitored during excessive heat warnings. The best place is to keep them inside in a cool place. But if animals can’t be brought inside, they need plenty of shade and water. Misting fans, sprayers and just a hose can keep pets cool, but I’d not recommend giving the neighborhood cat a bath!
Pets should be kept in the car for any length of time without the air conditioner on. Temperatures can rise to dangerous levels in just minutes, putting your pet at risk of heat stroke. On an 80⁰F day, after 5 minutes, you vehicle could be 92⁰F and over 100⁰F after just 10 minutes.
Don’t walk your pets once the day heats up. Take walks in the early morning or late in the evening after temperatures drop. Also, try to avoid pavement in the evening that retain heat longer. Dogs can experience severe burns to their pads when walking on hot cement or asphalt. Rocky ground and rough surfaces can also cause the outer pad covering of the paw to wear off, leading to exposure and trauma of the tender surfaces below. If your dog is not used to being outside on these surfaces, spend shorter amounts of time at first on those surfaces until the paw pads toughen.
Most importantly, access to fresh water and shade is a must. Fresh water encourages your dog to drink more and avoid dehydration. Water bowls should be checked and filled as needed several times per day during hot weather. Food left outdoors should be changed twice daily as it will spoil more quickly and attract flies and other insects as well.
Also be aware that very young and old animals cannot tolerate the extreme temperature and special care should be considered during high temperatures.
The following symptoms could detect heat stroke:
- Body temperature above 103 degrees.
- Excessive or vigorous panting.
- Dark red, blue or purple gums.
- Thick saliva and excessive drooling.
- Dizziness or disorientation.
- Restlessness or appearing distressed.
- Rapid heart rate or irregular heartbeat.
- Vomiting or urinating blood, or traces of blood in bowel movements.
- Seizures and muscle tremors.
- Lying down and unwilling or unable to get up.
- Collapse or loss of consciousness where the animal cannot be awakened.
Fireworks
First and foremost, make sure this week (and really all the time), that your pet wears a collar with identification tags should they run away. It will much easier for them to find their way back home should someone find them.
Many pets are scared of the loud noises and flashes from the fireworks. To help minimize, consider the following.
- Pull the blinds or curtains.
- Run a white noise machine or turn on the TV to drown out the noise.
- Keep animals in crates, carriers or dark rooms.
- Consults with your veterinarian about medication to calm your pet and test the medicine first before the holiday to make sure it does not have adverse reactions.
Keeping your pets indoors during this time is also very important for their safety. If they must be outside, keeping them on a leash is recommended. This week we will see the highest incidence for pets running away. They are more likely to get hit by a car because they are frightened and not paying attention to what is going on around them.
Even if your pet does not fear fireworks it is still best to keep them indoors. If you have a brave dog, like this one in America’s Funniest Home Videos, they can attempt to retrieve the firework. This one ended up funny, however they could cause damage to their mouths from burns or even other dangers, such as stepping on hot things.
Older animals tend to develop phobias to loud noises. You may not have noticed it as they were young, but as they mature, they can also change. Always monitor your animals behavior closely.
