American Humane Provides Critical Tips to Keep Pets Safe in Summer Heat

 American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization, is issuing key tips to help keep your pets safe in the summer heat. Many parts of the United States are facing triple digit temperatures with no letup in sight. On August 8, an Excessive Heat Warning was issued in South Florida, as the heat index climbed to a near 115 degrees. The extreme heat and humidity significantly
increase the potential for heat related illnesses, for both people and pets.

“Severe heat is dangerous not just for humans, but for animals as well,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane. “Dogs and other pets can quickly become dehydrated and overheated in just a matter of minutes while taking a walk or by simply playing outside. During this heat wave, it’s imperative that you plan accordingly to protect your entire family – pets included. We hope the public will follow these tips from the American Humane Rescue team and keep all their loved ones safe.”

To keep your pets safe and cool, remember these easy tips from the experts at American Humane:

• Limit exercise and time outdoors to cooler parts of the day.In extreme heat, even sitting still outside can be dangerous for pets. Adjust walking schedules and exercise routines to take place in the early morning or evenings.

• If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.Before taking your dog out, touch the surface of the sidewalk or street with the back of your hand. If the ground is too hot to touch for more than five seconds, it’s not safe for your pet. Have booties on hand for your pet to wear to protect their paws or carry them to a patch of grass to relieve themselves.

• Know if your pet is at high risk for overheating. Vulnerable populations include breeds with squished faces, like pugs and bulldogs; young, elderly, or overweight pets; and those with thick or dark-colored fur. Take extra precautions to keep your pet cool.

• Never leave your pet alone in a car. Leaving a pet in a car for even a short period of time can have a deadly outcome. If you see a distressed dog inside a parked car on a warm day, immediately call your local animal control or law enforcement for help and stay with the animal until help arrives.
• Look out for signs of dehydration. Gently pinch the skin over your dog’s shoulder, pull the skin away from its body, and then release it. The skin will slide right back into place if your dog is properly hydrated, but it will remain “tented” or return very slowly if your dog is dehydrated. If you think your dog is dehydrated, take them to your veterinarian immediately.
• Know the signs of heat stroke, including excessive panting, lethargy, stumbling, a dark or bright-red tongue or gums, bloody diarrhea or vomiting, and seizures. If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, which can be deadly, bring them immediately to the vet.

• Provide temporary relief to an overheated animal: Apply cool (not icy) water on your pet’s skin with either a bath, hose, or sponge until medical assistance can be reached. Offer your dog a bowl of cool water to drink in small servings. If your dog swallows a significant amount of water in a short period of time, it could get sick and end up vomiting. Take them to a veterinarian immediately.

“It is our duty to protect not only ourselves, but also those who rely on us most – including our pets,” said Dr. Ganzert. “In an emergency, every second counts and it’s critical that you are prepared to protect your entire family.”

For more pet safety tips and advice on how to prepare for a disaster, visit www.AmericanHumane.org/Prepare.

About American Humane

American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare, overseeing the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year. Founded in 1877, American Humane has been First to Serve™ the cause of animals and for 145 years has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in the humane movement. For more information or to support our lifesaving work, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our channel on YouTube for the latest breaking news and features about the animals with whom we share our Earth.