Animals Suffer in the Heat Too

Posted On: July 10, 2024

If your pet is overcome by the heat, place a cool, wet towel on the animal. When the towel becomes warm, replace it with another cool towel. Never immerse a pet in ice-cold water as it may cause shock.

If it's too hot for you to go outside, it's also too hot for your pets. Keep a constant eye on your animals when they are outside. Heat stress happens quickly, with little or no warning. Once the signs of heat stress are detected, there is little time before it develops into heat stroke and serious damage can occur.  Be sure you know the signs and symptoms of heat stress, as it could save your pet’s life.

The key symptoms of overheating in pets are excessive panting, stupor, and collapse. Other symptoms include difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and seizures.

Volusia County Animal Services recommends that pet owners follow these safety tips.

• Keep plenty of clean, cool drinking water available at all times.
• Keep your pet indoors during the hottest times of the day.
• Never leave your pet in a parked car, even for a minute.
• Protect your pet from the sun. If your pet must stay in the yard (instead of the cool indoors, which is recommended), make sure there is adequate shade and ventilation.
• To help your pet stay cool, clip coats short, but not shaven. Sunburn is a danger to animals, especially light-colored animals.
• Dog pads burn easily, so avoid hot surfaces such as asphalt on hot days. Exercise pets in the morning or evening when it’s cooler.

If your pet is overcome by the heat, place a cool, wet towel on the animal. When the towel becomes warm, replace it with another cool towel. Never immerse a pet in ice cold water as it may cause shock!