by: Christopher Boyle
Posted on:
Has been updated:
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association is reminding pet owners to keep an eye on their pets during the summer heat.
“If the temperature outside rises and you have to live outdoors, what do you do to stay cool?” asks Nicole Johnson, veterinarian at Pekin Animal Hospital and president of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA).
Dr. Johnson offers some tips to pet owners on ideas for keeping pets safe as temperatures rise.
- Do not leave pets in a hot car. Even with the windows open, temperatures inside a car can rise into triple digits within minutes.
- It’s hot when walking on the street outside. If the sidewalks and parking lots are too hot for you to walk barefoot, they’re too hot for your dog, too. Sidewalks scorching in the summer sun can burn his tender paws. Walk your dog on cooler grass, look for shady areas, and plan walks for cooler times of the day, like early morning or evening.
- Stay calm. As for shade, make sure your pet is in the shade when they’re outdoors, especially during the hotter parts of the day. A bowl of cool, clean water that’s changed frequently can also help keep the temperature under control and water-borne parasites at bay.
- Plants take note! There may be many ornamental plants in your garden that are poisonous, some of which are dangerous to animals. Find out what you have in your garden that could be harmful to your pets. Also, keep fertilizers and other garden chemicals out of your pets’ reach.
- Avoid the risk of drowning. Do you have a pool or water feature in your yard? Always supervise your pet to prevent drowning, or keep them away from pools and water features. Consider using a pet life jacket when your pet is near water or boats.
- Be careful of heatstroke! Pets with thick fur, overweight pets, and pets with respiratory diseases are especially susceptible to heatstroke. Consider clipping your pet’s hair and brushing them more frequently in the summer.
- Window and door safety. Make sure any open windows and patio doors have screens, or keep any open windows and doors closed completely.
