Domestic animals like dogs, cats and other furry friends like rabbits can’t speak for themselves, and can be just as sensitive to high temperatures as their human keepers.
West Plains Police Department Animal Control Officer Brad Jones offers several tips for keeping pets healthy during hot summer weather.
“Make sure your animal has a shelter, a place to get out of the sun, and provide plenty of water,” Jones reminds.
“It’s also best to leave pets at home when making a trip to town, instead of leaving them in a vehicle.” Vehicles, even with the windows cracked, can heat to life-threatening temperatures quickly.
Summer is also the season for rabies, when the virus is more likely to be present in wild animals that are also more active this time of year. Dogs that are kept within West Plains city limits are required to be registered with the city and up-to-date on rabies vaccinations.
Jones urges anyone that sees unusual behavior in their pets to either contact the Animal Control office at 417-255-1860, or, in the case of observed behavior in a wild animal, the Missouri Department of Conservation, 417-256-7161.
Rabies symptoms include stumbling or staggering, unusually aggressive behavior and foaming at the mouth; however, not all animals infected with rabies will exhibit these symptoms.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) offers additional tips for keeping pets safe and healthy during summertime weather and activities:
Don’t overexercise your pet during hot weather. On hot pavement or other surfaces, paw pads can be burned.
As for grooming, it is recommended that long haired animals be trimmed, but not shaved, which can make them more likely to overheat and be sunburned. Sun protection and insect repellant products should be formulated specifically for pets to prevent poisoning from chemicals that may be licked off.
Get a checkup for your pet to diagnose and treat any underlying conditions that might make them more vulnerable to heat, like heartworm.
Know the symptoms of overheating, including excessive panting, difficulty breathing, elevated heart rate, drooling, weakness or stupor, seizures, collapse, vomiting, bloody stools or diarrhea and a body temperature over 104 degrees.
Panting is an animal’s way of cooling off, and certain breeds with flat faces like pugs, bulldogs and Persian cats are particularly vulnerable to breathing problems and can’t pant as effectively. That also applies to older pets and those with health conditions affecting the heart and lungs.
Common summertime activities and environments can also increase the likelihood of injury or death for pets, including unsupervised access to swimming pools and open windows that cats and dogs may fall or jump from.
Human foods served at outdoor events may be toxic or fatal to animals, including alcoholic beverages, raisins and grapes, chocolate, onions and products sweetened with xylitol, including some kinds of peanut butter.
Fourth of July celebrations with loud fireworks may frighten animals, causing them to run into dangerous situations like traffic, or become lost or disoriented. It’s best to leave pets in a secure, quiet area in these situations, says the ASPCA.
Remember that pets rely on their owners to monitor their health and safety, and precautions taken may save the heartache of illness or injury to a beloved member of the family.
