As the temperatures heat up this summer, it’s important to remember that rising temps can be dangerous for your pet.
At Urban Pet Rx, we care about pet wellness in Chicago and want to help you keep your pets safe this summer. Here are some helpful tips for pet owners to keep their cuddliest family members safe.
Never Leave Pets in a Parked Car
On hot days, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to extremely dangerous levels. In just 10 minutes, temperatures inside the vehicle can rise 20 degrees. On a 90-degree day, that means the inside of your vehicle can reach 110 degrees and will keep rising.
Your pet can suffer severe organ damage or possibly die from even a few minutes of exposure. If you come across a pet left inside a hot car, take action and call for help immediately.
Be Careful Walking Pets On Pavement
Pavement heats quickly and will become hotter than the air temperature outside, potentially causing burns to feet and paw pads. It’s important to understand that pavement and asphalt temperatures can get up to 60 degrees hotter than the air temperature.
And while black asphalt is especially concerning, concrete surfaces will also get extremely hot, and become too hot for your pet to walk on. It can take just 60 seconds on a surface that is 125 degrees for your dog’s paw to burn.
On these hot summer days, try and walk your dog on the grass, let them get their exercise at a dog park, or take them swimming in a pond or pool. Keep those precious paws safe and cool.
If your pet does suffer a burn on its paw, visit our vet clinic in Bridgeport for veterinary care right away.
Limit Exercise on Hot Days
During the hottest days, we recommend adjusting the intensity and duration of your pet’s exercise routine. Try and get out early in the morning or during the evening hours after the sun has set.
Also, be careful with pets that have white-colored ears as they are more susceptible to skin cancer from sun exposure. As well as short-nosed pets, who tend to have difficulty breathing in extreme weather conditions.
Lastly, whether exercising indoors or out, always carry water with you to keep your pet from becoming dehydrated.
Watch for Signs of Heatstroke
Pet care is especially important during the extreme weather conditions summer creates. High temperatures have been known to cause heatstroke in animals.
Some signs for you to watch for are heavy panting, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, glazed eyes, vomiting, or seizures. If you feel your pet is suffering from heatstroke, contact our Bridgeport animal hospital immediately for care instructions.
Animals both young and old are at risk for heatstroke. Along with age, pets who are overweight or have heart problems or respiratory disease are also at high risk.
If you believe your pet is suffering from heatstroke, move them to a shaded area or into an air-conditioned space right away. Apply ice packs or cold towels to their head, neck, and chest areas. Let them drink small amounts of water or lick an ice cube.
Veterinary Services at Urban PetRx
Urban PetRx is a locally and independently owned veterinary care clinic serving the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago. We provide modern veterinary medicine with traditional sensibilities.
We care about your pets as if they were our own. Schedule an appointment online or give us a call at 773.801.0771 today.
