With the heat wave hitting many parts of the United States even before summer
officially started, the importance of keeping your pet safe from the dangers of
the sun and its heat cannot be overemphasized. Just like humans, your pets are
susceptible to skin cancer, heat exhaustion and heat stroke when exposed to the
sun for prolonged periods. Here are a few tips to help protect your pets from
these dangers.
First, shield your pets skin with specialized pet
sunblock or sunscreen. Apply these sun protection products on the least
hair-covered spots like dogs' stomachs as well as around the eyes and ears of
cats. Fur provides a measure of protection from the sun but it is not sufficient
to eliminate the risk of skin cancer, which happens to be the most common form
of cancer in cats and dogs.
Second, keep your pets coat as long as
possible, especially if it has a naturally long coat. It may seem counter
intuitive to do so but when your pets coat is well-kept; washed and brushed on
a regular basis to prevent the accumulation of dirt, dust and matted hair, it
helps regulate their body temperature. Your pet will then have a much lower
chance of suffering from heatstroke.
Third, avoid allowing your pet to
engage in strenuous physical activity (i.e., playing or exercising) during the
hottest parts of the day. This is usually between 12 noon and 4 in the
afternoon. Your pet will then not be exposed to excessive heat that can cause
overheating.
Fourth, always be on guard against heat exhaustion even
during relatively cool days. The symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy
panting, thick drool, wobbly legs and dry gums, among others. When you notice
these symptoms, be sure to place your pet in a cool area then drape wet towels
over their body before calling in the veterinarian; dont, however, even think
about placing your pet in a tub of ice-cold water.
Fifth, even when your
pet is indoors and away from the suns heat, you should still ensure that the
temperature is cooler indoors than outdoors. 1 impact
wrench The general rule is that, if the indoor temperature is too hot for
you, then it is too hot for your pet.
And of course, always have plenty of
water for your pet during the summer days.