Ten Ways to Keep Your Pet Safe When Temperatures Rise

hot car

The warm weather has arrived, drawing us outside to enjoy the sunshine. If you are a pet owner, often you will have your furry friend with you, giving them the chance to enjoy the weather too.

But summer’s hot weather can be dangerous for your family pets. Here are some things to think about to help ensure your four-legged friends stay safe this summer.

1. Never leave your pet in a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees even with the windows cracked open. Temperatures inside the car can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes, even with a window cracked open.
2. Give pets plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s hot or humid outdoors. Make sure they have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful not to over-exercise them and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.
3. Don’t let dogs linger on hot pavements when the temperatures rise. Their body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn.
4. Pets can fall out of an open window. Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens are secured.
5. Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool, lake or beach. Have water available and don’t let them drink from the pool, etc.  
6. Be careful what you plant. Some plants in your garden can be hazardous to animals. Visit the Animal Poison Control Center to find out which plants and flowers are poisonous to animals.
7. Never use fireworks around pets, keep pets indoors. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma, and many pets are also fearful of loud noises and can become lost, scared or disoriented.
8. Download the free Red Cross Pet First Aid app which puts veterinary advice for emergencies as well as everyday pet care in the palm of your hand. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know pet first aid. Users can find it in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross, texting GETPET to 90999 for a link to download the app or going to redcross.org/apps.
9. Take the Red Cross Cat and Dog First Aid online course so you’ll know what to do in an emergency until veterinary care is available. You can access the course on your desktop or tablet at redcross.org/catdogfirstaid and go through the content at your own pace.
10. Animals can suffer heat stroke. Some of the signs of heat stroke in your pet are:collapse; body temperature of 104 degrees or higher; bloody diarrhea or vomiting; excessive panting or difficulty breathing; increased heart rate; very red gums increased salivation.

If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 104 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose and placing cool, water-soaked towels on the dog’s head, neck, feet, chest and abdomen. Stop cooling the animal when its temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.