Beating the Summer Heat

Looking out for your pets’ health during the summer heat is just as important as looking out for your own.

Animal Shelter executive director, Jody Murray, said the recent heat wave can be dangerous for your pets. He advises people to pay attention to their animals when they are spending extended time outside.

A few things that he recommended is keeping your pets’ water bowl filled with fresh water and not keeping them outside for long periods of time. Walking them can even be detrimental.

“You have these bright, sunny days, asphalt gets very hot,”  Murray said. ” We kind of tell people, that if it’s so hot that you’re not going to walk on it barefooted, if you can’t out your hand on the pavement and keep it there, imagine what it’s doing to their paws.”

Grooming is an option many people will look at. This is something that can be done to help in your pets’ shedding process. He said observing their behavior can also save your pets from heat exhaustion.

“Just kind of keep an eye on them,” Murray said. “If they’re being more lethargic than normal. If they’re not being active, if they’re panting a lot, you need to get them inside, get them cooled off a little bit.”

A few other things you can do to help your pets are to move outside dog houses or boxes to an area of the yard that is usually covered in shade.