PHOENIX — As much as of the world scorchesIt’s not just humans who need help with the dog days of summer. Pet owners need to think about how to keep furry family members safe and cool as intense — sometimes deadly — heat waves are becoming more common.
“It’s really important to remember that if it’s hot outside for you, it’s hotter for your pets,” says Dr. Sandra Faeh, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. A dog’s breed, weight and chronic health conditions also matter. “There’s no specific temperature where we can say, ‘This is the right temperature to go outside,’ because they’re all different.”
According to a report from the American Pet Products Association, more than 180 million people, or 63% of households, in the US have at least one pet. Expenses related to pets is expected to exceed $150 billion this year, but many dog parents aren’t used to changing routines or buying supplies for warm weather. This summer’s heat is making that more normal.
The best strategy against high temperatures is of course to walk pets in the morning and evening, Faeh advises. If you must walk them during the day, be quick and stay in the shade, on grass and dirt. The sidewalk can be a sweltering place for your paws.
“We often think that their legs are thicker, that they are less sensitive to the heat, but they are. They can get blisters, they can hurt,” Faeh said.
One helpful measure: Faeh says that dog booties made of thick fabric can help with hot surfaces. Dogs just need time to get used to walking in them.
Pets can also get sunburn, which can be seen as lighter pigment on the nose, or around the face in short-haired breeds. Vets can prescribe special sunscreen.
Providing relief, even after brief sun exposure, is just as important as sun protection. Cooling mats and small fans can help. And in addition to giving dogs water, you can wet their bodies with cold waterBut not too cold, Faeh warns.
“If they cool down too quickly, their blood vessels constrict and then they have a harder time cooling down,” she said.
In case of a power failureFaeh suggests placing pets in a cooler area of the house, such as a basement or a windowless room. Make sure fresh water is available and any blinds or curtains are closed.
Signs to look for if your dog is suffering from: heat related stress or heat stroke include restlessness, excessive panting, drooling and even vomiting. Cats show distress by open-mouth breathing. In any of these scenarios, contact a veterinarian immediately, Faeh advises.
There are a wide range of pet accessories and devices available to beat the heat, says Pete Scott, president of the American Pet Products Association. But some markets have been overwhelmed by the higher temperatures.
“You don’t think Connecticut is going to be 100 degrees,” said Scott, who lives in Stamford. “You have to be vigilant and prepared. If it’s a week before a heat wave comes, everyone’s going to stock up on bottled water. But they’re not going to stock up on bottled water for their pets.”
In addition to boots, protective clothing may also include a sun visor and dog sunglasses or safety glasses, if your pet is willing to wear them.
David Escalante started Kaykos Dog Shades in 2016 out of his San Francisco Bay Area home after fitting a makeshift pair of shades onto his family’s pit bull. Now, Escalante, his father and brother handcraft each pair in his San Jose garage. They’ve sold nearly 15,000 in the past three years.
Each pair has a drawstring, nose bridge and lenses that he says protect against ultraviolet rays.
“We try to let people know, ‘Think about your dog’s eyes now that you’re outside and it’s super bright,’” said Escalante, who sees increased sales during heat waves.
Other helpful tools include cooling collars and elevated dog beds that promote airflow, Scott says. You can also feed Fido chilled treats, such as dog-friendly gelato, puppy sicles, and ice cream mixes.
“When it’s hot, we all love a little frozen snack“That goes for dogs and cats too,” Scott said.
Another solution is an indoor dog park. Spencer Mak and his wife Lauren run two Mak Pack Dog Training parks. & Boarding facilities in the Phoenix suburbs since 2020. The 10,000-square-foot Chandler location includes an indoor dog park with agility exercises, climbing obstacles, and a bouncy house. They offer a $10 drop-in fee and a $49 monthly membership.
At its peak, the inner area has housed as many as 100 dogs. In June, when temperatures soared, Mak saw 520 admissions compared to 300 in May — an increase of almost 75 percent.
He is currently building an indoor dog pool with ramps and floats.
In the summer, there are also cases of people leaving or forgetting their pets in hot cars. The temperature inside a vehicle can exceed the temperature outside very quickly.
“It’s much better to just leave them at home and know that they’ll wag their tails and give you kisses when you come in,” Faeh says.
Some vehicles have dashboard alerts if there’s a child or pet in the backseat. There are also backseat car alarms on the market. But ultimately, “it always comes down to the human who owns the pet,” Scott says.
