Even here in Northern Idaho it’s hot, hot, hot. Here are my tips to protect your pets.
Q: It is so hot! I’m sweltering, and I imagine my dogs are, too. How can I help them stay cool?
A: Staying inside with the air conditioning as high as you can afford is probably the best bet for flat-faced breeds such as bulldogs, boxers and pugs, but many dogs love basking in the sun or splashing in water. Here are some tips to help keep them safe from heatstroke or sunburn.
Apply pet-safe sunscreen before they go outdoors. Dogs (and cats) can get sunburned, especially on the ears and nose, or if they have a thin or light-colored coat. Look for pet-safe sunscreen at pet supply stores or online, or use any PABA-free sunscreen. If your dog will be playing in water, use a sport-type sunscreen that offers some water resistance. (No sunscreen is waterproof, and the FDA requires sunscreens labeled “water resistant” to be tested and state whether the sunscreen remains effective for 40 or 80 minutes while the wearer is swimming or sweating.) Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to the belly if your dog likes to sunbathe on his back.
Heatstroke is the most common summertime pet emergency. Your dog might seem like he’s having fun playing on the beach for hours on a warm day, but he’s at risk if he doesn’t have access to shade or fresh water. Offer him water frequently, and mist him with a spray bottle of cool water. Again, flat-faced dogs are at highest risk. On a humid day, especially, panting to cool themselves becomes less effective. They should not spend long periods outdoors on warm days without shade or water. Signs of heatstroke include continuous panting, dark red gums and weakness or collapse. It’s an emergency, so don’t wait around to see if he gets better. Cool him with water and get veterinary help immediately.
There’s more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.
