PHOENIX (AP) — So much the world is sweatingit's not only humans who need assistance throughout the dog days of summer. Pet owners need to think about tips on how to each protect and funky down their furry relations, because it is intense — sometimes fatal — Heat waves have gotten more frequent.
“It's really important to remember that if it's hot for you, it's even hotter for your pets,” says Dr. Sandra Faeh, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. A dog's breed, weight and chronic health issues also play a job. “There's no one temperature that we can say, 'that's the right temperature to go outside,' because they're all different.”
In the United States, greater than 180 million people, or 63% of households, own not less than one pet, in response to a report by the American Pet Products Association. Pet expenses Spending on dogs is estimated to exceed $150 billion this 12 months, yet many dog owners aren't used to changing their routines or buying things for warm weather. This summer's heat is making that more normal.
Simple security measures
Of course, the safest strategy against high temperatures is to let your pets out within the morning and evening, advises Faeh. If it’s essential to allow them to out throughout the day, be quick and stay within the shade, on grass and dirt. Asphalt might be scorching hot for his or her paws.
“We often think that their paws are thicker and they are not as sensitive to heat, but they are. They can get blisters and hurt,” Faeh said.
A paw-friendly measure: Faeh says dog shoes made from thick fabric might help with hot surfaces. Dogs just need time to get used to walking in them.
Pets can even suffer from sunburn, which can appear as lighter pigmentation on the nose or face in short-haired breeds. Veterinarians can prescribe special sunscreens.
Relief even after a brief sunbath is just as necessary as sun protection. Cooling mats and small fans might help. And along with water, you can even give your dogs the next: moisten your body with cold waterBut not too cold, warns Faeh.
“If they get cold too quickly, their blood vessels constrict and then it's harder for them to cool down,” she said.
In case of an influence failureFaeh recommends keeping pets in a cooler a part of the home, corresponding to the basement or a windowless room. Provide fresh water and keep blinds and curtains closed.
Signs to look out for when a dog Heat-related stress or heat stroke These include restlessness, excessive panting, drooling and even vomiting. Cats show their distress by respiratory with their mouths open. In any of those cases, you need to contact a veterinarian immediately, advises Faeh.
The importance of accessories
There are a wide selection of pet supplies and equipment available to assist beat the warmth, says Pete Scott, president of the American Pet Products Association. But some markets were caught off guard by the upper temperatures.
“You don't think about Connecticut being 100 degrees,” says Scott, who lives in Stamford. “You have to be alert and prepared. For example, if a heat wave comes in a week, everyone stocks up on bottled water. But they don't also buy supplies for their pets.”
In addition to overshoes, protective equipment can even include a sun visor and Sunglasses for dogs or goggles in case your pet wears them.
David Escalante founded Kaykos Dog Shades in 2016 in his San Francisco Bay Area home after putting makeshift sunglasses on his family's pit bull. Today, Escalante, his father and brother hand-make each pair of sunglasses of their San Jose garage. In the last three years, they've sold nearly 15,000.
Each pair encompasses a drawstring, a nose bridge pad and lenses that it says protect against ultraviolet light.
“We're trying to let people know, 'Hey, think about your dog's eyes now that you're outside and it's super bright,'” says Escalante, who sells more during heat waves.
Other helpful tools, Scott says, include cooling collars and elevated dog beds that allow for higher air circulation. You can even feed Fido chilled treats like dog-friendly gelato, Pup-Sicles and ice cream mixes.
“When it's hot, we all like a little frozen treat“This applies to dogs and cats,” Scott said.
Indoor playtime
Another solution is an indoor dog park. Spencer Mak and his wife Lauren have operated two Mak Pack Dog Training & Boarding facilities in suburban Phoenix since 2020. The 10,000-square-foot Chandler location includes an indoor dog park with agility exercises, climbing obstacles, and a bouncy castle. They offer a $10 drop-in rate and a $49 monthly membership.
During peak season, the indoor facility housed up to 100 dogs. In June, when temperatures soared, Mak recorded 520 admissions compared to 300 in May – an increase of almost 75%.
He is currently working on building an indoor dog pool with ramps and flotation devices.
And ugh, the car…
In summer, it also happens that people leave or forget their pets in hot cars. The temperature inside the vehicle can quickly become higher than outside.
“It's significantly better to simply leave them at home and know that they'll wag their tails and offer you kisses whenever you walk within the door,” says Faeh.
Some vehicles are equipped with dashboard alerts when a child or pet is still in the back seat. There are also rear seat alarms on the market. But ultimately, “all of it comes all the way down to the one that owns the pet,” Scott says.
Originally published:
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