While the heat might be great for some, it’s certainly risky when it comes to domesticated animals, especially dogs.
Florida is known for sunny days, tourist destinations and hot weather. By hot, we mean temperatures averaging about 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity in the summer. While the heat might be great for some, it’s certainly risky when it comes to domesticated animals, especially dogs.
According to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, heat-related canine conditions can also become life-threatening without immediate treatment. Overheated dogs can suffer heat exhaustion, heat stroke or sudden death from cardiac arrhythmias.
There is a certain way to take care of your animals during those hot summer months. Before it starts getting to be that warm, beach weather we all look forward to, take precautions and take your pets to get a full check-up. Since the animals are likely to be outdoors more often, they are more susceptible to threatening factors. Flagler Humane Society provides a wellness clinic every Wednesday and Thursday and on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Make sure your pet is updated on its shots/vaccinations, along with a heartworm test and flea/tick preventions.
One of the biggest mistakes pet owners make during the summer is leaving dogs outside all day. While it might seem logical to give your dog fresh air while you’re out during the day, they can get dehydrated very quickly, which can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke or even death. If you plan on leaving your dog outside while you are not home, provide sufficient shade, a good amount of water and the option to go back indoors if they need to.
If you plan on leaving your dog indoors while you are away, keep your home at a comfortable temperature; that way you aren’t breaking the bank and your pup is good to go. Just remember, do not leave your animal indoors with the air conditioning off — this can lead to a heat-related issue for the animal.
Walking your dog during the summer can be tricky because your dog cannot tell you that the asphalt is too hot for their paws. Hot asphalt can severely burn a dog's paws, so a good way to test whether the asphalt is safe for your animal is to put your hand on the asphalt. If it is too hot for your own hand, it is too hot for your pet’s paws.
Another fatal mistake that some owners make is leaving their pet alone in the car on a hot day. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, hundreds of pets die every year from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise almost 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. In 20 minutes, it can rise almost 30 degrees, and the longer you wait, the higher it goes, according to the AVMA.
All in all, do not leave your pet in the car, even if you think you are running a quick errand.
In fact, some dog breeds are less tolerant to higher temperatures, so get to know if your dog breed is grouped in that field. Older, overweight and short-nosed breeds, such as pugs, bulldogs and shih tzus, are less tolerant of hot weather. A common misconception is the idea that shaving your dog will cool them down in the long run, but a dog’s fur also protects them from the sun’s harmful rays.
If you have any questions regarding your pets and how to combat the summer heat, contact Flagler Humane Society at 386-445-1814 or stop by the Flagler Humane Society from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. any weekday.
Jordan Puyear is the Development Coordinator at Flagler Humane Society. She can be reached at jpuyear@flaglerhumanesociety.org. Flagler Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 1980. For more information, go to flaglerhumanesociety.org.