Summer Heat Is Bad For Pets

[bigdoglover]

DogFlu

By Jon Dunkerley

Pets do not do well on really hot days

Summer is here, and along with it, comes the sometimes unbearable heat that forces us to resort to endure it, or hide away, air conditioner blasting.

Pets, the warm blooded ones anyway also feel the heat. The difference between them and us, is we can do something to cool ourselves off, pets can not. That said, we as pet owners are responsible for helping our beloved family members if the need-be arises.

Keeping your pet cool is manditory on hot days. Acts such as locking your dog in the car while you do the shopping, or lieving your pet in the back yard for long periods of time are just irresponsible and can result in your pet becoming quite sick.

Always have fresh water available for your dog to drink. If your dog is of the outdoors loving breed, then an outdoor water bowl should be purchased and placed somewhere in your yard so your dog can gain access to it when it wants. Dogs will not tell you if they are too hot, so knowing some of the hot signs are also helpful:

If your dog is panting heavily, weak, vomiting, has uncontrolable shaking, etc. these are symptoms of heat stroke, and a trip to your veterinarian might be in order.

Dogs can not think for themselves, so as the responsible dog owner, do yourself and your pet a favor and act in their best interest this summer.

[Carrie]

That is such a good reminder Bigdoglover. I worry so much about peoples' dogs. I can't believe what I see sometimes....dogs in cars with the window rolled down about 2 inches and they think that's enough. Good grief! Summertime is a time where I never take my dogs anywhere with me, even if I'm just popping in and out of a store. It's just not worth the risk.

It's often too hot to even go on big walks. They just don't cool themselves as well as we do.

Thanks for posting that.

[nitag]

*I* don't cool as well as i need too, and i'm not covered in fur! we have an open door policy on our pets and kids and encourage being inside in the heat! i can't believe what i see either. the other day, a little dog in the car, NO windows open at all. i could NOT believe it. but it was hard to know what store the owner was in, otherwise i would have gone in and said "hey, your dog has no fresh air" people don't realize how fast a car heats up esp. on hot days. LUCKILY it was a nice day, not hot and the owner came out as i was getting ready to back out.