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Pets need special care in hot
weather
May 17, 2007
A few days ago I stepped out of my front door looking forward to a late
afternoon walk with my two dogs. I was stopped in my tracks by the sun,
which was bearing down on us. After a brief huddle, we all agreed to
start our hike after the sun went down.
Summer is not quite here, but we're already experiencing the heat. It's
important to keep our furred companions safe in our hot, humid climate.
Parked cars can be just as dangerous as moving ones for pets when they
are left inside on a hot day. Every year we hear tragic stories of
animals suffering from a life-threatening heat stroke or worse. How many
of us have walked by a car with a cracked window and a dog inside,
waiting for their owner to return from a quick run into the grocery
store or the post office?
Temperatures in parked cars can rise to dangerously high levels in a
short amount of time. A cracked window won't provide any relief. Dogs
can't sweat. They can only release heat by panting and through the pads
of their feet.
If you see a dog in such a situation try to have store management page
the owner. But if all else fails, contact the police and the local
animal control agency. If it means saving an animal's life, a broken
window pales in comparison.
It also bears mentioning that traveling with a pet in the bed of a
pickup truck is not a good solution. Nothing is more dangerous than this
scenario because he or she can be thrown from the vehicle by even the
slightest movement and is susceptible to any type of flying debris.
One essential for keeping your pet safe in the heat of the day is to
provide an ample supply of water and shade. Pool owners should keep in
mind that their furry friend should always be supervised around the
pool. Free access to a pool can be dangerous to dogs and cats.
As my two dogs could have experienced on our recently aborted walk, hot
asphalt can injure their padded feet. Because exercise is important and
keeps our companions happy, keep their walks to the early morning or
early evening hours.
Summer is a time of fun and relaxation, and a little dose of prevention
to keep our pets safe can make the season pleasant and exciting for
them.
- Gloria
Dauphin
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