How to Help Your Pet Beat the 2020 Michigan Summer Heat

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As the weather continues to warm up it can be tempting to get out and give your pets some well-deserved exercise. Being cooped up in the house for weeks at a time can make any pet (and owner) antsy to see the world again. While we humans are exceptionally well-adapted to being out in the heat for hours at a time thanks to our ability to sweat, our pets aren’t so fortunate. While we may be fine soaking up the rays, our pets could be suffering in silence by our sides. It’s our responsibility as pet owners to keep our pets safe from heat exhaustion or heatstroke—today we’ll be talking about how to do just that.

Know the signs of heat exhaustion

First up is knowing exactly when your pet is in dire straits. If your pet’s body temperature gets too high, they’ll start to look visibly ill. Watch out for the following signs:

  • Weakness
  • Diarrhea
  • Lack of coordination
  • Excessive panting and drooling
  • Vomiting

Once you see these while your pet is out in the sun, immediately bring them to a shaded area and begin cooling them down with small amounts of water frequently and monitor their temperature. Contacting your vet immediately is also a good idea, even if they seem to return to their normal selves after treatment.

Have a safe area nearby at all times

As mentioned in our previous point, you should always have a nice cool area where your pet can go for refuge when it’s too hot. Whether it’s in your yard or when you’re out and about, have options for your pet so that they don’t have to sit out in the sun for hours on end. A doggy door for your pet can be a great option for the home, while a pet-friendly café or a shady tree can be good options when outdoors. It’s important to never leave your pet leashed and unattended out in the sun for hours at a time.

Be careful of hot surfaces

We almost always wear shoes, so we never consider how hot the asphalt or sidewalk might be when we go outside. Our pets have no such protection—their paws are tough, but can still get burned just as easily as our feet. While the weather may be nice to walk around in, what we walk on may have soaked up tons of heat throughout the day and may be blisteringly hot for hours. Either get your pet some cute little booties, or be mindful of what your pet will have to traverse when you’re out.

Your pet may be itching to go outside now that the weather is nicer—if you can bring them out, keep them safe with these tips. If you can’t bring them out, being cooped up all day may have an effect on their mental and emotional state. We at Pet Nanny Inc are experts in taking care of the mental and physical health of your pets—and part of that is bringing them out and back, safe and sound. If you can’t be at home during the hottest hours of the day, we can take care of your pets for you! Our Pet Nannies are all experts in taking care of pets in the summer and will be sure to keep your pets cool. If you have a busy schedule, give us a call and we will make sure your pets get all the attention they need. Contact us at 734-981-6108 or use our on-line contact form and we will be in touch with you shortly.

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