Feeling hot hot hot

I think we officially hit summer yesterday afternoon here in Seattle. This week they say it'll be in the 80's. With such a sudden shift, it's time to remind everyone of hot weather pet safety and boost my wits about leaving Rolo at home -- even when she tries to convince me with her big brown eyes.

Dehydration, heat stroke, sun burn... we've heard about these issues in our fellow humans, but animals can suffer these same devastating effects, too. There are stories every summer about a dog left in a car; a good samaritan calls the police; they are too late; the dog has died from the scorching temperatures created in a parked car. It's heartbreaking, yet very preventable! The ASPCA has posted a great page of safety reminders for hot weather. I'll highlight a few that seem most common to me and a few you may not have thought of.

• No Parking - do not leave your pet in a parked car. Period. If they are with you traveling from point A to B, remember that they are covered in fur and you're not!  Buster may like to hang his head out the window, but in stop-and-go traffic he's not getting cooled down enough. Time to roll up the windows and turn on that aid conditioner. I have read that temps in a parked car can rise up to 20 degrees above the outside temperature! While you're at it, put a towel over those vinyl seats for your own legs, too.
• Sit in the Shade - asphalt is hot on the feet and creates hot air that rises closer to your pet's nose than yours. Make walks short and include shady places to rest - at the park or at home in the yard. A cool patch of grass is a welcome treat to a pet's belly.
• A New Do - if you have a long haired cat or dog, a summer trim may be the best thing, even if your friends giggle a little. A Lion Cut on a cat can help alleviate overheating and help avoid brambles and other debris getting tangled in their fur while out exploring more in the dry weather. Same for dogs; a trim down to a short haired dog length can make a world of difference when all you have is your tongue to cool you off.
• Water it - Leave clean water in the house, on the porch, where they are kept in the yard, etc. If you're traveling with your pet remember to pack a bottle of water for them as well. Collapsable travel bowls are available at pet stores, but a stainless mixing bowl works well, too. You can usually find them at thrift stores for under $3. But remember, bacteria loves heat. Wash bowls frequently and replenish water.
• Know the Signs - This may be the most important thing to learn to observe in your pet over the summer. Symptoms of overheating can include excessive panting, increased heart rate, drooling, weakness, stupor, diarrhea, vomit, and even seizures. Flat faced critters like Pugs and Persian cats need extra special attention. They cannot pant as efficiently as their friends and overheat faster. It only takes a few degrees over normal body temp to cause serious problems! A note from experience: last summer temps here reached 100 for about a week. It was heat unlike typical Seattle summers. My Pug, Lou, suffered greatly. In a car with the A/C and a house with fans, he still ended up ill with diarrhea and stupor. Luckily, some fast thinking in a kiddy pool of cool water with a gentle hosing of his ears and he recovered fairly well. In cases like this, time is everything!

Let's not forget our smaller pals: rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, etc. They need some TLC in the summer heat, too. Keep them away from direct A/C drafts. Check your windows - what was once a nice space on the dresser may have turned into a direct sun spot now. And if you use electric fans, make sure that the cages aren't too close. The vibration may seem like nothing to you, but for sensitive rodent ears it can be stressful. Keep fresh water in the cages and change it daily if possible. Leave fresh veg & fruit treats that will be cooling and provide extra water consumption as well.  For bunnies you can use a damp washcloth or a gentle spritz from a spray bottle of water to cool their ears. Make sure their outdoor hutch has a shaded space to hide in.