Check the ground: Asphalt, cement and even the desert floor can get extremely hot. Before letting your dogs walk on any of them in the heat of the day, check it with your hand. If it feels too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws. Better yet, time your walks in the early morning or the evening.
Sunscreen: Pink noses, white fur and very short fur can lead to sunburns. Sunscreen can help. Be sure to use one formulated for your animal, and regardless don't put it on their bellies where it's easily licked. Licking sunscreen lotion can cause drooling, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy.
Breed savvy: Snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible. They can overheat very quickly. Cats don't cool themselves well by panting either so keep them out of hot situations.
No ice water: If dogs become too overheated, cool them down. Move them to the shade. A towel soaked with a garden hose can be laid over them. But ice water is bad news because it can cool them too quickly.
Car trouble: We all know that shady areas can change and vehicles can get too hot inside quickly when hit by the sun, even with the windows cracked. In fact, it's best not to bring your pet with you in hot weather because even if you're in the store only two minutes, someone is going to call the authorities and request that officers rescue your pet, costing taxpayers money -- and you never know what might happen in the store to delay you and put your pet's life at risk. Kidney and liver failure can begin quickly in a hot car. Carry a gallon of cool water in the car just to be safe.
Access to water and shade: If your dog is left in the back yard while you're at work, make sure there's plenty of water in a tip-proof bowl -- and make sure there's shade. An insulated dog house works well.
Sunscreen: Pink noses, white fur and very short fur can lead to sunburns. Sunscreen can help. Be sure to use one formulated for your animal, and regardless don't put it on their bellies where it's easily licked. Licking sunscreen lotion can cause drooling, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy.
Breed savvy: Snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible. They can overheat very quickly. Cats don't cool themselves well by panting either so keep them out of hot situations.
No ice water: If dogs become too overheated, cool them down. Move them to the shade. A towel soaked with a garden hose can be laid over them. But ice water is bad news because it can cool them too quickly.
Car trouble: We all know that shady areas can change and vehicles can get too hot inside quickly when hit by the sun, even with the windows cracked. In fact, it's best not to bring your pet with you in hot weather because even if you're in the store only two minutes, someone is going to call the authorities and request that officers rescue your pet, costing taxpayers money -- and you never know what might happen in the store to delay you and put your pet's life at risk. Kidney and liver failure can begin quickly in a hot car. Carry a gallon of cool water in the car just to be safe.
Access to water and shade: If your dog is left in the back yard while you're at work, make sure there's plenty of water in a tip-proof bowl -- and make sure there's shade. An insulated dog house works well.
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