This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Keeping Pets Cool In The Dog Days Of Summer

The dog days of summer are here, and it’s important to know that our pets feel the effects of the heat just as much, if not more, than we do. Here are a few tips to help keep your pets comfortable in this oppressively hot weather:

·         Keep your pets indoors in an air conditioned or cool, well ventilated room. If you need to go to a cooling center, try to find one that will allow you to bring your pets.

·         Pets need to drink more water when it’s hot, so make sure cool water is available at all times.

Find out what's happening in New Rochellewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

·         Limit walks, outdoor exercise and play time during the hottest parts of the day. If your dog is like mine, and he gets stir crazy if he can’t play and run, try to plan short exercise periods very early in the morning or later at night when it’s cooler.

·         Try soaking a bandana in water, freezing it, and then loosely tying it around your dog’s neck to keep him cool. Some pet shops carry products made for this purpose.

Find out what's happening in New Rochellewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

·         Give frozen treats such as Frosty Paws, ice cubes, or frozen pedialyte throughout the day.

·         Use the hose or wet towels to periodically cool your pet down.  My dog loves when the hose nozzle is set to “mist”. Pay special attention to the paws and the ear flaps, as these are areas where heat can dissipate quickly. Some dogs love to swim – just make sure they are properly supervised and wearing a life jacket.

·         Some dogs and cats may benefit from being shaved down for the summer. But keep in mind that for some breeds, this is not ideal. Hair is important to help protect the skin from the effects of the sun, and also helps dissipate heat away from the skin. Speak with your groomer or vet before breaking out the clippers.

·         If you bathe your dog or cat, do not put them in front of a hot blow dryer to dry them off

·         It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. KEEP YOUR DOG OUT OF THE CAR! Cars are hotboxes that can reach scorching temperatures very quickly. Dogs and cats can suffer from heat stroke very quickly in a hot car.

Speaking of heat stroke, here are some signs that your pet may be experiencing a heat emergency:

·         Very warm to the touch, especially on the ear flaps or paw pads – if in doubt, you can take her temperature rectally with a rectal thermometer. Normal temperature should be between 100 and 102.5 for dogs and cats.

·         Excessive panting that does not calm down quickly

·         Trouble breathing

·         Extreme lethargy

·         Collapse

·         Seizure

·         Bright red gums or tongue

·         Diarrhea, vomiting

If your dog or cat is experiencing a heat-related condition, wet him down with cool wet towels or a cool water bath (do NOT immerse him in ice water, as this could send his body into shock), place a little rubbing alcohol on the paw pads (to help dissipate the heat faster), and get him to the nearest veterinary hospital immediately.

Knowing how to keep our pets cool in this extreme heat will go a long way to a happy, healthy summer for all. Stay cool everyone!!

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?