Cool & Chill Pets! How to keep our Furry Friends from Overheating
When the summer sun turns up the sizzle, our four-legged friends need a little extra help to keep their cool! Think of yourself as your pet’s personal “chill coach”. Just like us, pets can feel the heat, but with some creative thinking and a sprinkle of playfulness, you can make the dog days of summer a breeze. Whether your companion is a couch-loving cat or a pool-loving pup, simple tricks and a watchful eye will have them wagging and purring through even the hottest days!
Now, let’s dive into the cool pool of pet-friendly summer solutions! We’ll share clever ways to outsmart the sun—think frozen goodies, splash zones, and secret shade forts—to keep your furry pals comfortable on even the toastiest afternoons. You’ll also learn to spot the telltale signs of a heat-stressed pet (hint: lots of panting and grumpy faces) and discover exactly when it’s time to call in the vet superheroes. With these playful tips, you and your four-legged companions will breeze through summer in style!
Signs Your Pet Is Overheating
When the sun’s blazing, your pet can’t exactly shout, “Whoa, I’m melting over here!”—but they have their own secret signals to get your attention. Imagine your dog giving you the “help me, human!” look: they might start panting like they just finished a marathon, drooling like they spotted a roast chicken, or looking super thirsty. Watch for extra-warm noses, tongues and gums turning dazzling red, wobbly walks, or even a surprise puddle of…oh no, not that…vomit. If your pooch starts acting dizzy, shaky, or extra dramatic, it’s time for a cool-down break!
And don’t forget your feline friends! Overheated cats may breathe like they’ve just run a kitty obstacle course, with a heart racing faster than a mouse-chasing sprint. If their gums or tongue turn a strange shade of red or gray, or they start stumbling around like they’ve had a bit too much catnip, they’re sending you an SOS. Weakness, shakiness, or a sudden “bleh” moment (yep, vomiting) means it’s time to take action. Keep your eyes peeled—your pets are counting on you to help them chill in style!
What to Do If Your Pet Shows Heat Stroke Symptoms
Even with careful efforts to keep pets cool and safe, fury friends may occasionally become overheated from unexpected activity. Now that you know the signs of heatstroke; the following steps will help you on what to do if you suspect your dog or cat is experiencing heat-related distress.
For Dogs
- Reduce core temperature; dogs’ normal, ideal temperature is 101.5°F, while the moderate temperature is 103-106°F and overheated is 106°F and above.
- You can submerge your dog up to its armpits in the water if you are near a pond, stream, creek, lake, or beach.
- If there is no water source available, use a cool, wet towel to cool off over the neck, under the armpits, between the hind legs, and the groin area. Wet their ear flaps and paws.
- Offer cool fresh water for your dog to drink. Never force your dogs to drink; if they do not drink, wet their tongue and the inside of their mouth. Don’t use ice, as this will cool their core temperature too fast and may shock the system.
- Use a fan to create a breeze.
- Move your pet into an already cooled air-conditioned vehicle.
For Cats
- Reduce core temperature; cats’ normal temperature is 100.5 – 102.5°F. 104°F and above is overheated.
- Move your pet to a cool spot.
- Offer water, but never force. If your pet will not drink, wet its tongue and inside of the mouth. Don’t use ice, as this will cool your cats core too quickly and shock their system.
- Spray cool water onto your cat’s fur.
- Use a cool, damp towel to cool between the legs, armpits, and groin area.
- Use a fan to cool to create a breeze.
- Move your pet into an already cooled air-conditioned vehicle.
If your cool-down tricks aren’t working and your furry friend is still feeling too toasty, it’s time to call in the pros! Grab your phone and give the vet a ring—bonus points if you can tell them your pet’s exact temperature (they’ll be impressed!). The vet will be able to tell you if it’s time for a superhero dash to the clinic, or if some expert advice over the phone will do the trick. Your pet will thank you for being their cool-headed hero!
Beat-the-Heat Tips
Who says staying cool can’t be a blast? While it’s great to know how to handle a heat emergency, the real secret is making summer safe and fabulous for your feline friends right from the start! Get ready for a list of purr-fectly breezy strategies to keep your cool cat chillin’ and stylin’ all summer long.
For Dogs
- Use a cooling vest or bandanna
- Use a cooling bed
- Take your pet swimming for water fun
- Stick to shady spots outdoors
- Provide plenty of cool, fresh water
- Provide your pet with frozen treats and toys to keep cool with
- Stay off the pavement, stick to the grass
- Keep your pet out of a vehicle as much as possible
For Cats
- Use a cooling bed
- Keep a fan blowing to create a breeze
- Close curtains to create shade in the home
- Provide fresh water in a moving water fountain to encourage drinking
- Offer frozen or cold “creamy” cat treats
- Open windows for cross breezes
Armed with these cool tricks, you and your furry friend are ready to turn up the chill and turn down the heat! Beating the summer heat with splashy games, frosty treats, and plenty of cozy shade. Remember, when you keep things breezy and fun, you’ll both be wagging and purring all summer long. Stay paws-itively cool together!
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