Keeping Your Pet Cool
Spring and summer in Southern California can get extremely hot. You will want to keep yourself and your furry friends cool. The following tips can help you keep your pet cool during the hotter months of the year.
Never leave your pet alone in a parked car for any length of time. It gets very hot, very fast inside a parked vehicle. Even a short period of time in a parked car can be fatal. If you will be going somewhere that doesn’t allow pets, then it’s best to leave them at home.
Offer your pet lots of clean, cool water throughout the day. In fact, a bowl of clean water should always be available. On very hot days, your pets might enjoy it if you add some ice cubes to their water.
Provide your pet with plenty of shelter from the sun. Dogs cool themselves by panting and this works best if the air around them is cooler than their own body temperature. Make sure that your pets always have a shady place where they can safely get out of the sun.
Keep your pets inside when it’s really hot outside. A pet’s normal body temperature ranges between 100 and 103 degrees Fahrenheit. When it’s that hot or hotter outside it can be extremely difficult for pets to cool themselves through panting. On very hot days your pets are much safer inside.
Brush your pet regularly. Brushing your pet removes any dead undercoat. This helps the air circulate near their skin, keeping them cooler. In addition to keeping them cooler, regular brushing helps prevent skin infections and matting. If possible, brush your pet every day.
If your pet does overheat then you will need to act fast. Take your pet to a veterinarian right away. Signs that your pet might be overheating include breathing problems, excessive panting, drooling, weakness, stupor and an elevated heart rate. Extreme symptoms could include seizures, vomiting, fever over 104 degrees Fahrenheit and bloody diarrhea.
We hope that this information has been helpful as we strive to provide education on all aspects of pet care.
Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality dog and cat grooming in Orange County, California. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.
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