Summer Heat Safety Tips for Pets

My name is "Lucky" but I'm also known as Lucy by the wonderful staff and volunteers at Second Chance Pet Rescue.  They call me Lucky because I was found as a stray trying to make it on my own, but luckily I was rescued and brought to the shelter to be cared for.  I am a very sweet Aussie Mix about one year old.  I am waiting patiently at Second Chance Pet Rescue for my forever family.  I'm very eager to learn my indoor manners and to please my new family.  Won't you please come visit me and my other four-legged friends who currently are available for adoption and consider taking us home! 

The summer months can be uncomfortable, even dangerous, for pets and people.  It's difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone thick humidity, but it's important to keep our pets safe.  Second Chance Pet Rescue says that you can keep your pets safe and cool this summer by following these tips for helping your pets stay healthy and comfortable when the heat is on!

Basic summer safety tips are:

1.  Never, ever leave your pets in a parked car.  Not even for a minute!  Not even with the car running and the air conditioner on.  On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels.  It takes only 15 minutes for an animal to get heat stroke.  Your pet can suffer irreversible organ damage or die!

2.  Limit exercise on hot days.   On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with pets with white colored ears who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing.  Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible.  Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.

3.  Provide ample shade and water.  Any time your pet is outside, make sure he or she has protection from heat and sun and plenty of fresh, cold water.  In heat waves, add ice to water when possible.  Tree shade and tarps are ideal because they don't obstruct air flow.  IMPORTANT - A doghouse DOES NOT, let's repeat, DOES NOT,  provide relief from heat.  In fact, it becomes a sauna.

4.  Watch for signs of heatstroke.  Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke.  Some signs are heavy panting, glazed eyes, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, dizziness, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizures, and unconsciousness.  Animals at particular risk for heat stroke are those that are very old, very young, overweight or have heart or respiratory disease. 

Second Chance Pet Rescue of Grand Lake is a non-profit, life-saving animal welfare organization that relies on generous donations to continue to operate and help the homeless dogs and cats in Northeast Oklahoma.  Please help us continue our mission by mailing your tax-deductible donation to P.O. Box 451205, Grove, OK  74345 or donate electronically via its secure website at www.doitforthepets.com.  Follow us on Facebook to learn more about our animal rescue and see pictures of adoptable dogs and cats.