How to keep your pets cool in hot weather

LANSING — With summer temperatures settling in for the end of the week, state agriculture officials are reminding people to help their pets keep cool by taking a few simple steps, such as not leaving them in parked vehicles.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures Thursday afternoon could hit 91 and top out at 92 Friday. While the weekend should cool off, highs will remain in the upper 80s Saturday and low 80s Sunday and Monday.

"As we head into the summer months and temperatures rise, keeping animals cool and hydrated is essential," State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland said in a Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development press release. "It's important to recognize the signs of heat stress in animals and even more critical to prevent this stress from occurring. Michiganders can follow five easy steps to help keep animals cool and safe this summer." 

Keep animals safe from the heat by following these tips this weekend and throughout the summer:

Parked vehicles are not places to park pets

Even when temperatures feel more moderate, vehicles can heat up very quickly, creating dangerous conditions for the animals left inside.

Leaving windows cracked open and/or parking in the shade do little to improve the situation. In these conditions, it is best to leave pets at home when you need to go out and about.

Provide unlimited cool, clean and fresh water

Just like people, MDARD said, animals can quickly get parched in hot temperatures. No matter the species, animals should have access to unlimited cool, clean, and fresh water to prevent dehydration.

An animal’s ability to tolerate heat varies

An animal’s age, breed, type of coat and health history can all play a role in their ability to tolerate the heat. Keep an eye on them for signs of heat stress — like increased panting or drooling and being more lethargic. If they are showing these signs, it is time to immediately move them to a cooler area.Also, consider talking to your veterinarian. They will have a greater knowledge of your animal(s) and be able to give more specific guidance on how to best handle them in hot weather.

Test surfaces to make sure they won’t burn paws

Surfaces like asphalt, concrete, and sand can really heat up in the sun, which can burn paws — or at least make a walk very uncomfortable.

To test if a surface is too hot, touch it with the palm of your hand. If it's too hot for you, consider taking a different route that is mostly grass, or waiting until the evening.

Make sure animals have a place to cool down

Animals know when they are too hot and will usually try to find a place where they can cool down, MDARD said. Make sure they have access to shade, fans, misters, pools, cooling mats, and/or air-conditioned spaces to help them stay comfortable.