06/21/2025
Extreme heat advisory in effect this weekend⚠️☀️
Tips for keeping your pets safe in hot weather:
• Limit exercise: Keep outdoor activity to short intervals and take frequent breaks to rest and drink water (or keep exercise in air conditioned spaces).
• Watch where you walk: Hard surfaces absorb heat - darker colors compound that effect. Blacktop, sand, decks and even sidewalks can blister your pet's paws. Look for grass, dirt, or paths in the shade when picking a walking route. (A good rule of thumb: if it's too hot for your bare feet, it's too hot for paws!)
• Pets get sunburns too: Pets with pink skin and white hair are especially susceptible. Check out pet-safe sunscreen or stick to the shade.
• Water, water, water: Bring plenty of water and offer it frequently!
• Know the symptoms of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, weakness, stupor or even collapse. Symptoms can also include seizures, diarrhea, and vomiting along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.
• Animals with short snouts are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with elderly, overweight, and those with heart or lung conditions, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
• Never, ever leave your pet in the car. Ever. Not even for 10 minutes. Not even with the windows cracked. If you’re going somewhere that pets aren’t allowed, leave them at home.
• Outdoor pet’s should have a well-shaded area with good ventilation, free access to water, and a fan if possible.
