How to protect animals from the summer heat By Susan J. Squittieri
Animals need our help to beat the summer heat. Caring for animals
during hot weather requires good planning. Keeping an eye on the forecast and developing a plan for high or extreme temperatures is essential to ensure that your animal has sufficient shelter, shade, and water to keep cool and well hydrated.
Extreme heat causes significant stress for all animals. Just like humans, animals can experience sunburn, dehydration, overheating, organ damage, and even death. Unlike humans, animals do not sweat to reduce body
heat. There are many signs of heat stress that you can look for with your animals.
A dehydrated animal will show signs of:
• Sunken eyes • Dry mouth, gums, and nose • Poor skin elasticity and capillary refill time An overheated animal will show signs of: • Panting • Drooling • Lethargy • Disorientation • Collapse or convulsing • Bright red or blue gums • Bloodshot eyes • coma
If your animal is showing signs of heat stress the following actions can be taken to cool them down: • Immediately move to a shaded area • Stop or slow down activity • Offer small, frequent amounts of ice chips or cool
water • Spray with cool water or immerse in cool water (do not use ice cold water, which can worsen the condition) • Expose the animal to circulating air
Contact your veterinarian immediately if your animal shows no signs of improvement.
While heat stress can have significant impacts on an
animal’s health and well being, making minor changes and taking extra care of your animals during periods of extreme hot weather, the effects of heat stress can be substantially reduced.
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Here are a few guidelines you can follow to reduce the impact s of summer heat:
• Keep your animals hydrated- provide clean, cool water in more than one location throughout your home or yard
• Make sure animals have access to suitable shelter and shade – especially the very young, old, or animals in poor condition, or sick, and dark colored animals • Keep your animals cool- provide a fan, ice chips, a cooling mat, or take them swimming. If you provide a kiddie pool, supervise to prevent drowning • Bring your animals inside during the heat of the day • Allow for unrestricted access to the indoors from
outdoors • Exercise your animals in the early morning and late
evening • Minimize exposure to asphalt or concrete • Allow your animal to check the weather and make the decision to go outside or not • Minimize handling or transporting unless absolutely
necessary • Never leave your animal in a parked car.
Temperatures can rise quickly and become dangerously high. Rolling down windows has little effect • Use air conditioning when driving
By remembering these tips and taking some simple
precautions, you can keep your animals happy, healthy, and alive. You have a responsibility to ensure the well-being of animals under your care. With a bit of forward planning you can greatly increase the comfort and health of your animals during periods of hot weather.
If you witness animal cruelty or see any animal in need of rescue or emergency assistance this summer or at any- time during the year report it.
Susan J. Squittieri is a Professional Animal Communicator, Reiki Master, and Teacher in Valley Cottage, NY. Contact Susan at Two Bear Healing Arts at 845-512-8389 or
info@twobearhealingarts.com or visit
www.twobearhealingarts.com to learn how she can help you and your animals thrive.
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