AHS’ Summer Safety Tips for Pets

The weather is warming up and AHS wants to ensure your pet is safe this summer.

AHS’ Petiques are ready for the heat and have stocked up on everything you need to keep your pet cool this summer.

Below are AHS’ Summer Safety Tips for Pets as well as what signs to look for if your pet experiences heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Heat exhaustion in pets will often present itself with loud, rapid panting; rapid pulse; glazed eyes; excessive salvation; elevated body temperature; excessive whining/agitation; staring and/or vomiting. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke which is manifested by failure of the body, which can result in disorientation, seizure, coma and sadly, death.

If your pet exhibits signs of heat exhaustion, immediately call your veterinarian while attempting to cool them down. You can do so by placing them in a shaded area, applying small amounts of cool water to their body; especially head, feet and groin and giving them very small amounts of water to drink.

However, by following the tips below you can ensure that your pet’s summer is a safe one.

• Keep Pets Indoors!

• Keep Hydrated – provide pets with access to cool water at all times whether indoors or out.

• Free to Be – NEVER chain your pet up; if they get tangled up it will be difficult for them to access shade or water.

• Street Smarts – do NOT exercise your pet during the sweltering afternoon heat (hot pavement will burn a dog’s paws). If you are planning to walk your pet, do so in the very early morning hours or very late in the evening.

• Take 5 – do NOT exercise your pet strenuously – avoid long walks, hikes or excessive play. They will not know when to slow down and will not be able to ask for help until it is too late.

• No Parking Zone – NEVER leave your pet in a parked car; on a hot summer day a car’s interior temperature can reach 200 degrees in just minutes.

For pets that must stay outdoors:

• Made in the Shade – provide shelter that is ventilated with good air circulation in a shaded area.

• Make a Splash – baby pools filled with water are an excellent way to keep your pets cool this summer season; be sure to keep pool in shaded area and always watch children around all water sources.
• Apply Sunscreen – pets with very short, lighter colored hair are prone to sunburns. A sunscreen safe for babies will also work well on our furry friends.
• Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate – provide clean, cool drinking water in a non-metal, spill-proof container that is large enough for the specific pet; in-ground swimming pools are NOT adequate water sources and contain harmful chemicals.

Every year as the temperature creeps towards triple digits, AHS’ EAMT’s™ respond to hundreds of calls for pets who are suffering from heat-related ailments or those who have been left in hot vehicles.

If you witness a pet in distress, please contact AHS EAMTs at 602.997.7585, EXT. 2073 as failure to provide a pet with adequate water, shelter and/or leaving a pet in a car on a hot day can lead to animal-cruelty charges.