06/25/2024
Summer is here and in full effect all over Eastern NC. ☀️
If you think you are hot, we can tell you your pets are hotter! As humans, we have alternatives to cool ourselves down whenever we feel hot. But, our furry friends are not as capable of providing that for themselves. 🐶
With that being said, we wanted to ensure we shared some helpful tips to make sure your pets are safe, especially during the hotter days ahead. As a general guideline, if the outside temperature is in the 90’s, pets should not stay outside for more than 10-20 minutes at a time.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 7 things you can do to protect your dog during the summer are as follows: 😎
🐾Never, ever leave your dog in the car. Leaving the windows cracked will NOT prevent overheating. Leaving them at home is the safest option!
🐾Make sure your dog has unlimited access to fresh water.
🐾Make sure your dog has access to shade when outside.
🐾Take walks during the cooler hours of the day.
🐾When walking, try to stay off of hot surfaces (like asphalt) because it can burn your dog's paws. If the outside temperature is above 77 degrees F, skin destruction starts after 60 seconds of contact with the hot asphalt surface!
🐾If you think it's hot outside, it's even hotter for your pet – make sure your pet has a means of cooling off. Air conditioning and a cool bath are great options.
🐾Consider clipping or shaving dogs with long coats (talk to your vet first to see if it's appropriate for your pet), and apply sunscreen to your dog's skin if she or he has a thin coat or unpigmented skin also talk to you vet for safe sunscreen recommendations).
