HOT! HOT! HOT!

With the temperature is already soaring into the 90's I feel it is necessary to spread the word about animals in the heat.

When at home and outside make sure your pet has lots of shade and water, adding ice cubes to the water will help it stay cooler longer.  If you do not have trees to provide shade you can make shade with a tarp and some 2x4's or even some plywood. Don't leave them out for extended periods of time and keep a check on your pets when they are outside alone. It does not take long for a dog to over exert itself in hot temps. Remember dogs do not sweat, if your dog is lethargic and panting heavily bring them in and cool them off.

As for dogs in cars, my recommendation is never never leave a dog in a car in the hot temperature. Even with the windows cracked it can still reach high temps inside a vehicle. If it is 78 degrees outside the temps inside can reach between 100 degrees and 120 degrees in minutes. If it is 90 degrees outside the temps inside can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes. Exposure to extreme heat can lead to brain damage, heatstroke and death. If it is too hot leave them at home.

If you do come across a dog in a parked car, take down the car information and call the proper authorities, stay there until someone arrives and try to locate the owner. If the authorities are too slow and the dog looks to be in distress, with a witness take the appropriate measures to get the dog out.  Get the dog to a cool location and start cooling them off. NEVER USE ICE WATER to cool off a dog. Use cool water either by spraying them or take cool rags and put on the paws, chest, and groin areas.

Also keep in mind when walking your dog to stay off asphalt. Damage can happen in minuets to a dogs paws when on hot asphalt.

Please be aware of your pets in hot weather, they can not tell you if they are hot and uncomfortable.


I hope you share this with your friends.


Susan
KCPS