Extreme Temperatures - Summer Edition
From the best ways to protect delicate paws to summer hazards worth being cautious of; our Summer Edition will help your furry friends stay cool and comfortable in the hot weather.
The summer season is known for long days, warm nights and the joy of spending time in the great outdoors. Unfortunately, its also known for bug bites, sunburns and heatstroke and our furry friends are not immune!
Stay Hydrated
- Staying hydrated while out and about in the summer sun as well as when hiding away during the heat of the day is especially important. Make sure your pets have access to fresh and cool water throughout the day, adding ice cubes to your pet's bowl can help ensure they have a refreshing drink anytime.
- If you take your pets out for walks in public or in local parks, avoiding the hottest parts of the day and keeping water on you during your jaunt is vital!
- Creating frozen treats for your pets is another effective way to keep them cool this summer. With homemade ice licks and popsicles, frozen fruit and veggie snacks or even the simple joy of batting around an ice cube on the floor your pet can stay cool and hydrated while still having fun in the shaded safety of your home.
If your pet enjoys visits to pools, lakes or the beach make sure to take proper precaution to prevent the ingestion of pool water or salt water. Ingestion of salt water can lead to rapid dehydration and the chemicals in chlorinated water can be very harmful to your pet's health! Also make sure to rinse your pet's fur with cool and clean water after they take a dip to ensure they don't ingest any salty or chlorine rich water when grooming.
Stay Cool
- Cooling collars or coats can help keep your pet from overheating while out and exercising in the sun. These products can be on the pricey side, but thankfully, towels soaked in cool tap water are a just as effective way to keep your pet cool and happy!
- At home, cooling mats and beds for your pet to lay on can help keep them from getting too hot as well, especially if your fur baby has an especially long and/or thick coat. These can also be a bit expensive, so adding frozen water bottles to your pet's normal bed is another much cheaper way to help keep your pet cool day or night!
- If your pet is especially fond of water, a shallow kiddie pool, garden hose or sprinkler can be just the sort of fun to make their day! Just be aware that your pet can still overheat, even while playing in the water.
Remember: never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle!
Beware of Sunburn
- Staying in the shade (and if possible, at the home) is optimal during the peak hot hours of the day - 11.00 until 16:00 if the overall temperature is above 20 degrees Celsius. Going for walks earlier in the morning or later in the evening will help ensure that the pavement is cool enough for your pet's paw pads so that they don't get burned!
- If your cat or dog is out in the sun for extended periods of time be aware that the tips of their ears and their noses are susceptible to being sunburned, which can lead to skin cancer. Pet-friendly sun cream can be purchased and applied to these spots if they need to be outside during especially sunny afternoons.
Watch out for Heatstroke
Heatstroke occurs when you or you pet become dangerously overheated - it can be fatal and requires urgent veterinary attention so be aware! Heatstroke most commonly happens to dogs that are exercising in hot weather.
High Risk Factors
- Elderly pets
- Overweight pets
- Pets with heart or lung disease
- Brachycephalic breeds with smushed faced pets like Persian or Himalayan cats, French and English Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, and Shih Tzus (due to their hindered breathing and lack of ability to pant).
Signs of Heatstroke in Dogs
- Collapse
- Lethargy
- Excessive panting
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Purple gums
- Redness of the skin
While most cats seek shade to avoid becoming overheated, if your cat gets trapped in a hot area, such as a greenhouse or a shed, they can still develop heatstroke. Signs of heatstroke in cats can include:
Signs of Heatstroke in Cats
- Collapse
- Excessive panting
- Dribbling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
What to Do in the Case of Heatstroke
If you think your pet has heatstroke, move them somewhere cool out of direct sunlight. Wet their coat with cool tap water and go straight to the vet. If possible, offer them a small amount of water to drink and continue to cool them with car air conditioning while you transport them.
Bug Off!
Unfortunately, with the summer sun also comes the summer bugs. Mosquitos, fleas, chiggers and ticks (and if you're in the United States, the dreaded Lone Star Tick) are a dreaded accompaniment to the summer season. Taking your pet to the vet around the end of spring or the beginning of summer is an important step you can take to help make sure your fur baby stays healthy all summer long! Heartworm prevention as well as flea and tick medications provided by your vet can prevent nasty infections or diseases carried by these unwanted pests.
Residents of Berlin beware:
An aggressive outbreak of an invasive species, the poisonous oak processionary moth caterpillars, is affecting the city and causing severe allergic reactions from humans and pets alike. This has led to the closure of parks and public spaces due to their toxic hairs, which can be carried long distances by the wind. Each caterpillar has up to 700,000 microscopic, barbed hairs containing a protein called thaumetopoein which can cause severe rashes (dermatitis), eye irritation (conjunctivitis), and breathing difficulties.
- Avoid infested oak trees, marked by red-and-white warning tape.
- Wash clothes immediately after visiting affected parks.
- Do not attempt to remove nests yourself; report them to local authorities.
- Keep windows and doors closed to prevent airborne hairs from entering homes.
- If symptoms occur, use duct tape to remove hairs from the skin and rinse with water.
If you are going to use a bug spray on your pet, make sure to double check that it is pet safe!
Find out if your area is affected:
