I'm pretty sure I've written about this in the past, but it is definitely something that needs repeating. Although we might love the summer heat and think our pets do also, too much heat can be deadly for our cats and dogs. Here are a few tips to remember and keep with you at all times.
1. Never, ever, ever leave your pet locked in a vehicle during the hot summer months. You might think, with the window opened a crack, that they are fine but the temperature inside the vehicle can heat up to 120 degrees in a few minutes when it is just 80 degrees outside.
2. When you travel with your pet, keep your vet's emergency number with you or find a local vet hospital and have that number readily available. The time to look for a vet's number is not when you are in the middle of an emergency.
3. Always make sure you have plenty of water on hand for your pet. Just like you need extra water to stay hydrated during the hot summer days, your pet needs to, also.
4. If you tie your dog up outside, make sure they not only have plenty of room to move around (and plenty of water on hand) but that they also have a shaded area to get out of the sun especially at the heat of the day. Again, too much sun can lead to heat stroke or death for your dog.
5. If you bring your dog for a walk with you, test the sidewalk temperature with your own feet. If the sidewalk is too hot for your feet, it will be too hot for your dog's feet, too.
6. Watch for signs of heat stroke in your cats, too. If they are panting for a long time, pacing, have increased heartbeat, an increased body temperature, and respiratory distress (all similar symptoms to dogs) they may be experiencing heat stroke. Encourage them to drink more water and add ice cubes to their water bowl.
7. This should go without saying but I'll say it anyway - avoid strenuous exercise with your dog when it is exceptionally hot outside. Just like you, your dog can overheat and too much running and playing can be too much for them. They will keep going if you keep playing - it is up to you as their caretaker to know better. Limit outdoor activity to 20 minutes and it is best to keep outdoor playtime to early morning or evening when it isn't as hot outside.
I remember one time seeing a man who was at least 6'4" tall running with his puppy, a Jack Russell Terrier. Obviously he wanted his dog to learn to run with him but at that young age, and with his incredible height difference and extra long legs, there was no way the little dog would be able to catch up. This was many years ago and I saw him a distance away from me so didn't have the opportunity to say anything before he was gone. If I saw something similar today, I would chase after the man and tell him how abusive he was being to such a tiny dog. It amazed me that he couldn't see the difference and I wondered why he didn't get a greyhound to go running with him instead. At least they would have been better matched!!!