Preventing Heatstroke In Your Dog This Summer: 3 Things You Can Do Today

It’s important that every pet parent know how to prevent heatstroke in your dog or cat. Even as temperatures start to cool, your it can still get too hot for your pets and cause heatstroke. But what exactly is heatstroke? “Heatstroke is a term commonly used for hyperthermia or elevated body temperature.” [Source] Heatstroke can be recognized by:

Elevated breathing rates;
Dry or sticky gums;
Abnormal gum color or busing in the gums;
Lethargic behavior or disoriented behavior;
Seizures

While these aren’t the only visible signs of heatstroke it’s important to be able to recognize the more common ones so you can act quickly. If you feel your pet is suffering from heatstroke, get them into a shaded or cool area and contact your vet. But we never want your pet to get to that point!

Here are 3 simple things you can do to help prevent heatstroke in your pets:

Never leave your pet unsupervised outside on hot days.
Access to fresh water, shade, and shelter away from direct sunlight.
Never leave your pet alone in the car – even if you think it’s cool enough. Leaving a dog in a hot car without adequate ventilation is the most common cause of heatstroke.

If you know you can’t bring your pet with you inside or if you’re unsure you’ll be able to, it’s best to leave them at home. If you’re going to be gone for awhile, consider hiring a Wet Noses pet sitter to check in on your pets during the day.

By following these three simple tips you can help prevent heatstroke in your pets. Do you have any tips you think others should know? Let us know down in the comments or @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting.