Keep Your Pet Cool & Safe this Summer

You can find plenty of ways to keep yourself cool on hot summer days in Palos Heights, but your pet has to rely on you to make sure they’re comfortable and safe. With their fur coats and limited sweating ability, our pets are much more vulnerable to high temperatures and can succumb to heatstroke much more quickly. Read the summer pet safety tips provided by our animal hospital to keep your pet healthy and cool as a cucumber during the summer months.

Summer Pet Safety Tips

• On very hot days, keep your pet inside where they can stay cool in the air-conditioning
• When your pet is outdoors on summer days, ensure they have enough shade and plenty of fresh clean water. You can even use a shallow kid’s pool for them to wade in.
• Never leave your pet in a parked vehicle. The interior of a car can skyrocket from 70 to 90 degrees in just a few minutes, putting your pet at risk of heatstroke and even death.  Don’t take the risk–leave your pet at home.
• A cooling bed is a great option for your pet if the air conditioning isn’t working. You can also keep fans blowing to circulate the air.
• Keep up on vaccinations and monthly parasite preventatives to protect your pet from fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and harmful diseases. If your pet is currently unprotected, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian today!
• Don’t let your pet drink out of standing puddles of water, swimming pools, ponds, or lakes. Chlorine can make them sick, and puddles, lakes, and ponds can harbor bacteria and parasites.
• Keep cleaning supplies, pesticides, and fertilizers out of your pet’s reach and use them all with caution.

Symptoms of Heatstroke

Heatstroke is dangerous, but not always obvious to spot. Keep an eye out for the following signs:

• Extreme thirst
• Labored panting/breathing
• Bright red gums and tongue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Elevated temperature
• Rapid, irregular heart rate
• Weakness
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness

Please call our animal hospital immediately if your pet shows any of the symptoms listed above. Heatstroke can be fatal, so every minute counts! You can reach us at (708) 448-6600.