Keeping Pets Safe through Dangerous Summer Temperatures

As we can all tell from the temperatures outside, summer has arrived! Summer in Arizona brings extreme heat, posing a serious threat to our furry family members. As temperatures soar, it’s important to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of our four-legged best friends.

Fact: when the outside temperature is 77 degrees, the pavement heats up to 125 degrees. At 87 degrees, the pavement can reach a scorching 143 degrees. An egg can fry at 131 degrees in just five minutes, so imagine the discomfort your dog’s paws endure on hot cement, rocks or even dirt. Before taking your dog for a walk, press the back of your hand firmly on the pavement and hold it for seven seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them. If a walk is unavoidable, bring a bottle of water to wet their feet or body to cool them off. Ideally, it’s best to walk your dogs early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s cooler. If you notice signs of burned paws, carry your dog home if possible, apply cool compresses on their paws and body and contact your veterinarian immediately. Dogs are more vulnerable to ground heat because they are much closer to it than we are.

Heatstroke is a common and deadly summer threat for dogs. Recognizing the signs and knowing how to treat it is vital. Symptoms include elevated body temperature, vigorous panting, unsteady gait, depression or agitation, thick saliva or froth at the mouth, rigid posture, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, collapsing and shock. Resources like the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation offer detailed guidance on heatstroke symptoms and treatment. Heatstroke can lead to seizures, coma, organ failure and even death. If your dog shows any of these signs, bring them indoors, cover them with a cool, wet towel, let them drink room temperature water (not cold), and call your veterinarian or animal hospital immediately.

Heatstroke can occur in any hot environment, often because of a pet owner’s actions, such as leaving a dog in a car or failing to provide water and shade. Never leave your dog in a car, even with windows cracked. It takes just 10 minutes for the temperature inside a car to rise by 20 degrees. At 85 degrees outside, it can reach 105 degrees inside a car within 10 minutes and 120 degrees within 30 minutes, even in the shade.   

Certain dogs are more prone to heat exhaustion, especially older dogs, darker colored dogs, dogs with longer or a lot of fur, overweight dogs, and breeds with flat faces like pugs and bulldogs.

Our feline friends are also susceptible to heat-related issues. Cats have an average body temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit, but this doesn’t mean they are safe in a warm house. Cats don’t sweat like humans, so they must release heat by lying on cool surfaces, panting and drinking cold water.

To keep your cat comfortable, take a few preventative steps:

• Place bowls of cold water throughout your home, as water evaporates faster in summer.
• Close curtains to limit sun and heat, provide shade and prevent a hot home.
• Use fans to circulate cooler air. Setting them on a timer can help manage energy use.

We need to watch for signs of heat exhaustion in cats too, such as excessive panting, rapid heart rate, sunken eyes or little to no urine in the litter box. Cats with flat faces, obesity, heart or lung issues or those that are elderly are particularly at risk, according to the ASPCA.

There are many resources available online to educate ourselves on the dangers of heat for our pets. It’s always a good idea to brush up on signs to look for and what to do should your pets get overheated.

Our pets give us so much love, joy and companionship. They rely on us for their safety and well-being, especially during the scorching summer months. It is our responsibility to protect and care for them because they cannot do it by themselves. Let’s remember our pets are not just animals; they are beloved members of our families. They trust us to keep them safe and it’s a trust we must honor. With the love and care they shower upon us daily, it’s only right that we do everything we can to keep them safe and comfortable. So, as we enjoy the sunny days of summer, let’s make sure our pets can enjoy them too, safely and happily by our side. QCBN

By Loree Walden

928-445-2666 or yavapaihumane.org.

Loree Walden is the marketing manager at Yavapai Humane Society.