How To Keep Your Pets Safe In The Heat

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

With summer in full swing, it's only natural for us to spend as much time outdoors as we can - pets included. But, although the warm weather can be inviting, it can also be dangerous if the proper precautions aren't taken.

To ensure that your pets have the best summer possible, we've rounded up a few of our favorite tips for how to keep them safe in the heat; take a look below.

Never leave pets in the car.
It doesn't matter if you'll be back in two minutes - your pets should never be left in the car. According to the American Red Cross and The Humane Society of the United States, the inside of your car can reach temperatures of 102 degrees or even 120 degrees, and no, this doesn't really change if you're parked in a shady spot. So, as much as you may be tempted to bring your furry friends with you to run errands, unless you know they can come inside the stores with you, your safest bet is to leave them at home.

Keep an eye on the humidity.
High humidity levels are hard enough for people to deal with, so imagine how your pets must feel when outside on an extremely humid day. When the humidity is too high animals can have trouble keeping themselves cool, and the result is having their temperature rise to dangerous levels faster than you may even realize. That said, if you know humid conditions are coming, it's best to leave your pets inside.

Provide enough water.
Animals are just like us - they need water to help stay hydrated and keep cool. If you'll be bringing your pets outside, make sure that you have a water bowl readily available for them to drink out of. On extra hot days, even throw in some ice cubes so that the water stays cold.

Be smart about exercise.
On those extremely hot summer days, avoid taking your pet out to exercise when the sun is the strongest and temperatures are the highest. Instead, restrict outdoors time to early morning or late at night when temperatures haven't reached their peak yet. Reiterating the previous tip, regardless of when you take your pet out, always make sure that you have water with you so that you limit the chances of your pet becoming dehydrated during activity.

As a pet owner, it's also extremely important that you know the warning signs of heatstroke in case of an emergency. Some of the most common include:

• Heavy panting
• Fast heartbeat
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting
• Increased salivation

If you notice any of these signs in your pet, start by taking them into a cool, air-conditioned room (or shady spot, if you're outdoors), and place an ice pack or cold towel on their neck, head or chest to help him or her cool down. While you call your veterinarian, provide your pet with some cool water or ice cubes that they can lick in the meantime.

Here at Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we know just how hot it can get in New Jersey during the summer, and if your pet doesn't react well to the heat, we want to help.

For information about our emergency veterinary care services, please visit us at www.berkeleyheightsah.com. Additionally, if your pet shows any of the above signs or other warning signs of heatstroke this summer, please call us at (908) 464-0023 right away so that we can provide the care they need.