Summers are literally brutal. Temperatures across the country routinely rise to uncomfortable levels. And there is your pet, who cannot complain, who cannot sweat, and who cannot pour a glass of water for themselves. Summer heat can be genuinely dangerous for pets. Most pet parents think summer care is all about making sure your pet drinks lots of water, but it’s more than that. Rising temperatures can also increase the risk of heat-related illnesses like heatstroke, dehydration, and parasite infestations. Here, in this blog, we will give you the tips about handling summer heat-related issues in your precious pets.
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Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency for pets. It happens when your pet’s core body temperature rises above normal at a faster rate than their body can cool itself down. This overheating can trigger inflammation and tissue damage, which may ultimately cause organ damage and failure within a short time.
What causes heatstroke?
There could be many causes of heatstroke in pets, such as exercising during hot weather, loss of enough shade, poor ventilation, exposure to hot and humid weather, dehydration, or being left in a parked vehicle or outside on a hot day.
What are the signs of heatstroke?
If your pet gets heatstroke, here are the early warning signs you should look for:
- Excessive, rapid panting
- Bright red or pale gums
- Drooling excessively
- Restlessness
- Seeking cool surfaces
- Extremely thirsty
Here are the severe signs of heatstroke that need immediate veterinary attention:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Collapse
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
What to do if your pet has heatstroke?
If you notice any of the signs of heatstroke, here are some immediate first aid steps you can take while you travel to the vet or wait for vets to arrive:
- Move your pet to a cool, shaded area.
- Use room-temperature cool (not cold) water over the body, focusing on the paws, groin, armpit, and back of the neck for gradual cooling.
- You can offer simple sips of cool drinking water.
- You can also improve airflow with a fan or air conditioner while you travel.
- Call your veterinarian or local emergency veterinary ahead of time so they can prepare.
What NOT to do while your pet has heatstroke:
- Do NOT use ice-cold water.
- Do NOT force water intake.
- Do NOT wait for symptoms of heatstroke to improve on their own; act early.
Tips for Heatstroke Prevention:
- Avoid doing outdoor activities during peak hot times.
- Make sure your pet has access to shade and water when outdoors.
- Never leave your pet alone in a car.
- During the heat, keep them inside the house with proper air-conditioning.
- Be extra vigilant if you have pets that are prone to heatstroke, e.g., pets with flat faces, thick coats or underlying health issues.
Dehydration
Pets, just like humans, need proper hydration to stay healthy, especially on hot days. But the thing is, pets cannot sweat like humans to cool down. High humidity levels can make your pet vulnerable to overheating and rapid fluid loss through panting. While pets sweat minimally through their paw pads, this provides only slight cooling. Even a short time outside, or in a hot room can dehydrate your pet quickly.
Here are a few signs of dehydration pet parents should look for:
- Excessive thirst
- Sticky gums
- Sunken eyes
- Thick saliva
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
- Loss of skin elasticity (when you gently pinch the skin, it doesn’t snap back quickly)
Suppose you notice these signs of dehydration; every minute matters. Move your pet to a cool area and encourage water intake. However, if your pet appears unwell or symptoms persist, call your veterinarian immediately.
The best way to avoid dehydration is to take proactive measures. Below, we have discussed simple ways to keep your pet hydrated:
At home:
You can place multiple water bowls around the home. Put those outdoor water bowls in a shaded area to keep them cool. Also, you need to change or refresh water bowls several times daily.
During outdoor activities:
Don’t forget to take water breaks during walks and any outdoor activities. You can easily carry portable water for your pet.
Smart Hydration Tips for Pets:
Here we have listed some common hydration strategies to encourage water intake in pets.
- You can add water to dry kibble, or wet canned food to your pet’s regular diet. Wet pet food contains 75-80% food moisture that may help support hydration and urinary tract function of your pet.
- You can keep your pet refreshed with pet-safe frozen treats like ice cubes, popsicles, and water-rich fruits (watermelon, strawberries, muskmelon, and pears).
- For most of the pets, running water bowls are naturally more appealing as fresh and cooler, than stagnant water bowls. You can use pet-safe water fountains to provide them with better quality water in hot summers.
Fleas
Fleas are a very frustrating part of summer. These tiny parasites are highly active during warm weather. Because heat accelerates flea development, they can complete their entire lifecycle in just two or three weeks. A single female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, meaning a few fleas can turn into thousands across your home and backyard.
Fleas feed on your pet’s blood and make them extremely itchy. Here are the signs of fleas on pets that you need to look out for:
- Visible fleas and flea dirt in their fur
- Persistent itching and scratching
- Excessive licking or chewing of the skin
- Redness
- Hair loss
- Scabs
- Restlessness
These fleas can target your pet’s common body parts like the base of the tail, neck, underbelly, and behind the ears. If not treated on time, these pesky parasites can cause more health problems than that, such as:
- Flea allergy dermatitis
- Hot spots
- Secondary skin infections
- Tapeworm transmission
- Blood loss
- Risk of anemia in young and senior pets
It’s advisable to treat flea infestation as early as possible, as it may help reduce the risk of further health complications.
Tips for Effective Flea Prevention
1. Protect your pet with parasite preventatives consistently.
Talk to your veterinarian, as they may recommend a suitable flea preventative for your pet. There are many flea treatments and preventatives available in the market, such as:
- Oral flea treatments: NexGard Chews, Simparica Chewables, CapstarTablets
- Spot-on flea treatments: Bravecto Spot-on, Revolution, Frontline Plus
- Flea collars: Seresto Collars for Dogs and Cats
Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations, as most of the time they suggest year-round parasite prevention for your pet’s continued protection.
2. Manage fleas at home.
The problem is, flea infestation can still persist even when you have treated adult fleas on your pet. There is a high chance that flea-infested pets have dropped flea eggs and larvae in their surroundings. These flea eggs and larvae hide in dark, warm, and protected areas such as soft furnishings, carpets, and cracks in the floor, and may re-infest your pet. For that, you need to:
- Wash bedding and blankets of your pet regularly with hot water.
- Vacuum carpets, upholstery, furniture, and floors frequently.
- Keep your backyard trimmed and use pet-safe parasiticides.
3. Treat all pets in the house.
If you have multiple pets living in your house, there is a chance that flea-infested pets have infested other pets, too. So it’s recommended to treat all pets simultaneously.
Final Thoughts
With these tips, make this summer enjoyable for you and your pets by taking the appropriate precautions. We have covered tips on heatstroke protection, hydration strategies, and flea prevention. Follow them to make a significant difference in your pet’s comfort during this summer. If you notice any concerning symptoms regarding heatstroke, dehydration, or fleas, do not delay seeking veterinary help. A little extra care during the hot summer can keep your pet healthy!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can my pet get heatstroke even if they’re sitting in the shade?
Unfortunately, yes. Shade helps, but it doesn’t completely eliminate the risk. On very hot or humid days, pets can still struggle to regulate their body temperature, especially if there isn’t enough airflow or access to cool drinking water.
2. My pet spends most of the day indoors. Should I still worry about fleas?
Fleas can still find their way inside the home. They may enter through other animals, visitors, or outdoor areas around the property. So, both outdoor and indoor pets need flea protection.
3. My dog seems to drink more water during the summer. Is that normal?
In most cases, yes. Just like people, pets tend to drink more when temperatures rise. Increased panting and activity can lead to greater fluid loss, so it’s completely normal to see your dog visiting the water bowl more often than usual.
4. Are certain pets more sensitive to heatstroke?
Yes, dogs of certain brachycephalic breeds (pugs, bulldogs), senior pets, overweight pets, puppies, and kittens are more prone to heatstroke.