How hot is too hot to walk your dog? How to keep pets safe in Kentucky’s heat wave
As temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for the fourth consecutive day in Lexington, finding ways to cool off is a priority.
While making sure those around you stay cool, it’s important to make sure your pets are safe from the heat, too. Your four-legged friends are not always able to tell if they are overheating or know ways to escape high temperatures, which can lead to serious, and even fatal, medical emergencies.
It’s up to pet owners to know the signs and how to take quick action. Here’s some tips to spot distress in your dog and what to watch for when enjoying, or escaping, the heat.
What are the symptoms of heat stroke in animals?
According to information from the Lexington-Fayette County Division of Emergency Management, you indentify heat stroke in a dog, cat or small animal by watching for the following signs:
Excessive panting
Fainting or dizziness
Seizures
Vomiting or diarrhea
Bloody gums
If you notice these symptoms, contact your vet immediately.
If a dog is experiencing heat stroke, offer it water, move it to a cool environment, wet the pads of its feet with cold water and make a trip to your veterinarian, Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control (LFAC) advises.
Supervise your dog around pools and open bodies of water
While cooling off at the pool or lake is always a solid plan to beat the heat, make sure your dogs are being given fresh water rather than drinking pool or lake water.
Around pools, ensure all pool-related chemicals and products are stored in a safe place where your dog cannot reach them. If consumed in large quantities, they can result in upset stomachs and other gastrointestinal issues, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, can grow in still bodies, like lakes, and thrive in around 75-degree water. Ingestion can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, the ASPCA says.
Gastrointestinal signs and symptoms for algae indigestion:
- Impaired balance or coordination
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Paddling
- Shock
- Pallor
- Blueish or grayish color of the skin, nails, lips or area around the eyes
- Difficult or labored breathing
Additionally, ensure your dog is allowed to enter the body of water you visit. Make sure there are clear markers indicating your dog can swim.
Never leave your pet in a vehicle unattended on a warm day
Pet owners should know temperatures can be 20 degrees warmer in a hot car than outside temperatures.
Dogs rely primarily on panting to keep cool. Left alone in a hot vehicle, they can get brain damage, heat stroke or die, and you could be charged with neglect.
“Once a dog’s body temperature reaches above 105 degrees, there can be irreversible organ and cellular damage. Flat-nosed breeds, breeds with thick coats, and puppies are at an increased risk,” the LFACC said.
What about small pets like guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters?
As a general rule, keep small critters hydrated and don’t put their cage in direct sunlight during high-heat days.
You can offer them frozen fruits and vegetables as treats, and also place a frozen water bottle in their cage for them to lean against to keep cool. You might also consider purchasing a cooling pad for your hamster or guinea pig.
Tips for walking your dog in the heat
If you’re taking your dog for a walk on a paved surface, check the temperature first by placing your palm on the pavement and holding it there for 10 seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Walk your dog early in the morning or after it cools down in the evening. If you must walk your dog during the day, look into getting some special paw booties for it.
Overall, keep outdoor activity to a minimum for the sake of you and your dog.
“Take it easy until this heat wave breaks,” John Bobel, then public information officer for the local division of emergency management told the Herald-Leader, in part, in 2022.
Sunscreens and bug sprays don’t always work for our pets the way they do for us and could contain chemicals that are harmful to pets when applied on their skin or ingested, according to the ASPCA.
As a good rule of thumb, don’t use sunscreen or bug repellents on your pets unless they are specifically marked as safe for animals or prescribed by a licensed veterinarian. After using outdoor products, make sure they are properly stored away from your animals.
How do I keep my pets cool if the air conditioner is out?
In general, you’ll want to keep your pets hydrated and always make sure they have access to cool water.
If your air conditioner is out, and you’re able to move them to a cooler place like a basement, that can help. Otherwise, try to keep the air circulating. Keep a fan running near them if you can.
The LFACC is available for emergency animal services by phone at 859-255-9033.
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