Protect your Pets from the Heat

Given the sudden heat wave, the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department reminds pet owners that this is a good time to gear up for summer care for their pets. “Pets cool themselves the same way we do—through the evaporation of sweat produced by the body,” says Dr. Linda Czisny, one of Town Lake Animal Center’s full-time veterinarians. “The problem pets have is that they only have sweat glands on the soles of their feet. If that limited sweating isn’t enough, they pant, but if the air they pant is just as hot as they are, they’re unable to cool down.”

The result can be heat-related stress, heat exhaustion, and even death. High humidity makes the heat become even more deadly, since it slows the evaporation rate. If a dog or a cat’s temperature reaches 108 degrees, brain damage can happen after just a few minutes.

“Heat-related deaths often take pet owners by surprise,” says Czisny, “because a pet may seem to do just fine in the heat for years. We need to remember that any time a pet has to work overly hard to stay cool; it takes a toll on the body’s systems, so the pet may not be able to survive the next day’s high temperatures. That’s especially true for older animals or those whose health is already compromised in some way.”

Prevention is the best course of action when it comes to pets and “the dog days” of summer. Allowing your pet to stay inside during the heat of the day, in air-conditioned comfort, is the best prevention. If that’s not possible, here are a few things you can do to help your pet stay healthy in the heat:

• Make sure your pet always has access to shade. Remember that shade moves throughout the day, so check to make sure there’s something in the yard that will provide shade for your pet all day long.
• Provide plenty of fresh, cool water every day for your pet to drink and put it in a spot that’s out of the sun and unlikely to be spilled.
• Setting up a shallow “kiddie pool” of water or setting a timed sprinkler in the yard can help cool your dog down in the heat of the day.
• Avoid exercising your pet strenuously on hot days.
• Take plenty of water with you for your pet when you and your pet are out for walks or other activities.
• Never take your pet in the car if you’re going to leave it unattended. Parked cars turn into ovens in the sun, even if the windows are left open.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion in dogs and cats usually start with heavy panting, followed by huffing, puffing, or gasping for air. The animal may have difficulty walking or getting up because of dizziness, and may collapse or lose consciousness. If you observe these symptoms, you should immediately take steps to cool the animal down.