You know how sticky and uncomfortable the summer heat can get – now imagine you’re covered in thick, fluffy fur from head to toe, and maybe you can get some idea of how your pets feel when the mercury soars. When it comes to keeping your pets stay cool when it’s sweltering outside, there are a few tips suggested by the Humane Society of the United States that you can follow to help your pets beat the summer heat and stay safe indoors and out.
Avoid leaving your pet in a parked car. Even if the outdoor temperatures are only in the 80s, a parked car can reach temperatures above 100ºF. The dangers of leaving your pet in a parked car during the summer can include heat stress, heat stroke, organ damage and death due to suffocation.
Keep your eye on humid conditions. You know as a person, high humidity during the summer heat is extremely uncomfortable. The way pets cool their bodies is by panting, which helps them evaporate moisture from the air they breathe into their lungs. If they can’t eliminate this moisture, their body temperature rises. Keep your pets in the same humidity-controlled areas you enjoy when it’s muggy.
Keep exercise at a minimum. Again, use the same caution you would use for yourself. Exercise when it’s cooler, like early in the morning or later in the day. And, try to play with your pet in grassy areas – blacktopped and paved areas can get hot enough to burn the pads of your pet’s paws. Make sure your pet is adequately hydrated, too.
Make sure your pet has shade and water. When your pet is outdoors, ensure that it has a place it can go to that has plenty of shade. Outdoor enclosures should be in a shaded area, such as under a large tree, with the top covered by a tarp. Water dishes should be should be kept full, and ice can be added to keep the water cool for your pet.
Keep pets cool inside, too. Remember – fans don’t work great for a pet because how they process heat is different than with people. There are products available for pets that can help them stay cool when the indoor temperatures rise, such as cooling vests and mats.
Share a frozen treat to cool your pet down. Here’s a quick idea for a pet popsicle that your dog will love – simply take 1 cup of natural peanut butter (do not use any kind containing xylitol, as that is harmful to dogs) and combine it with half a ripe banana. Add water as needed to create a smooth consistency. You can then spoon the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze. Just pop them out of the tray when your dog needs a delicious cool-down.
You can make sure your home is a comfortable haven for yourself, your family and your pet by calling Family Danz to help meet your summer home comfort needs. We are experts in the field of air conditioning, and we can keep all your family members – even the furry ones – cool all summer long with our professional air conditioning installation, maintenance and repair services. Just give us a call at (518) 427-8685.