As the saying goes: “If you’re hot, they’re hot: bring them inside.” As much as heat can take it out of us, it can have an even more debilitating effect on our pets. Remember: we’re not wearing a fur coat 24-7 like our beloved cats and dogs. Help them ride out this heat wave by following these tips to keep them cool and comfortable.
Never Park Your Pet
First and foremost: NEVER leave a furry friend in your car during the summer. Parking lots are heat islands, soaking up excess heat. Leaving your pet unattended in a hot car for even a couple of minutes could be life-threatening. Even if they survive the heat, it could lead to serious organ damage.
Walk Early, Walk Late
Regular exercise for your pets is important, but you'll need to adjust your schedule when it's hot out. Stick to early in the morning or later in the evening. If you have to take them out during the day so they can do their business, stick close to home in a shady area and make your outdoor excursion a short one (no more than five minutes, tops). Your dog may go a little stir-crazy being stuck indoors so much, but it's better than them getting dangerously dehydrated.
Hot to the Touch
When taking your pets outside during hot weather, it’s important to do the “hand test” before you have them walk on pavement or concrete. Place the back or palm of your hand on a paved surface and hold it there for seven seconds: if it’s hot for you to hold on, it’ll be too hot for them to walk on. Investing in a pair of booties to protect their paws is a great idea. If you’re unable to find a pair that works for your pet or can’t get them to get used to wearing them, it’s best to keep them on grass or gravel as much as possible. If they’re small enough to carry, lift up your good boy or girl and carry them ski lift style across a hot surface.
Spray the Pain Away
A simple and effective way to keep your pets cool is to keep a spray bottle of cold water on hand. When taking a dog out to walk, remember that they don’t have sweat glands. When you see them panting, that’s their way of trying to cool themselves down. Don’t wait for that warning sign: give them a good spritzing of cold water before heading out the door, and apply a consistent mist every few minutes while you’re outdoors. Don’t just spray the top: make sure you spritz their bellies and underside, as that will help keep them cool.
Alcohol to the Rescue
Do you have some rubbing alcohol in your medicine cabinet? It may surprise you to know that that can be used to help keep your dog cool. Dabbing a little bit of rubbing alcohol behind their ears, on their stomach, and/or on their paws can help cool them down. Rubbing alcohol cools at a faster rate than water and can draw out heat, so it’s a great way to offer them some quick relief when they’re warmed up. Just be sure not to put too much: we’re talking drops here, not splashes.
A Cocoon of Coolness
Another way to keep your fur babies cool is to wrap them up! There are cooling vests available that can help them regulate their body temperature. You can also get cooling blankets, pillows, and pads that are safe for your pets to sleep on that will help them stay cool throughout the night. You can also D.I.Y. by putting small pillows and blankets in the freezer for them to chill. Just make sure you take them out and give them some time to warm up just a little bit: you don’t want to shock your pet by having them sit on something that is freezing cold. It should be cool to the touch, not frozen or icy cold.
What Works For You…
A lot of the strategies you can employ during a heat wave to keep yourself cool will also help your pet. Keeping curtains, shutters, or other window treatments shut will block out sunlight from streaming in and raising the temperature of your home (something that any house cat would appreciate!). Staying well-hydrated is just as important for your pet as it is for you, so make sure there’s plenty of easily accessible cold water on hand for both of you. Like to cool off with a bowl of sorbet or ice cream? You can also make frozen treats and ice licks for your pets. All you need is an ice cube tray and a dog-friendly liquid like chicken broth broth or no-salt-added beef stew and you can make a tasty and refreshing treat that doubles as a cool-down for your snacking pet.
Article by Austin Brietta
Want more wellness tips? Check out these stories: