15/06/2024
Hey there all you Florida senior pet owners – it has gotten HOT! Because of this, our awesome senior fur-buddies are more prone to heat related problems. So, we thought we would remind everyone of a few ways to help them be comfortable through this extreme heat.
Dogs and cats are not as efficient at cooling down as humans are. They can only sweat through their paws and nose. Dogs depend on panting to cool down and cats will groom themselves (according to National Geographic the saliva evaporates on their fur helping them cool down). Because of this, we need to be extra cautious with our elderly pets and always be aware of the temperature of their environment. Another factor is humidity. Even a moderately warm day can be dangerous to a dog if the humidity is high; it keeps them from being able to cool off properly. Heatstroke can happen quickly and is a medical emergency that can claim their lives. To help avoid this, know the signs of heatstroke and follow a few simple steps to avoid them getting to that point.
One of the most important ways to help keep your pet cool is to always have cool, clean water available to them. Multiple bowls in the areas they have access to are helpful. According to the AKC, a dog needs one ounce of water for every pound of body weight. For example, a 20-pound dog needs 20 ounces of water a day. Dogs should not be allowed to drink water quickly though, especially when they are very hot. This can lead to bloat, so it is best to give them small amounts of water often to rehydrate them.
Another way we can help keep them cool is by making sure their environment is not too hot and keeping good airflow. If you don’t have air conditioning, try using several fans. Limit their time outdoors during the heat of the day and even at night if the temperatures don’t go low enough to make them comfortable. Damp towels, cooling mats, or ice packs wrapped in a towel or blanket can help keep them from getting too hot (never touch an icepack to their skin without wrapping it first, it can make them hotter by closing the capillaries of their skin, which prevents their internal organs from cooling).
Other ways to help keep your senior dog cool includes going swimming, if you don’t have access to a pool then a kiddie pool can work. Contrary to popular belief, shaving down a dog can make them more prone to heat issues and sunburn. That coat of theirs helps to insulate them from both heat and cold and shaving it does not help them when it comes to regulating temperature.
Here at OFSARNOF, frozen treats are always a hit on hot days. One of our favorites includes using strawberry, banana and apple baby food mixed with unflavored Pedialyte and frozen into ice cubes. (always use the unflavored version of Pedialyte, the flavored ones contain artificial sweeteners that can be very bad for dogs). You can also freeze their favorite fruits and vegetables or make popsicles out of chicken broth (make sure it doesn’t contain garlic or onion) or pumpkin puree. If you have popsicle molds you can use dog treats as sticks, making them even more fun for your senior dog. For your cats, you can freeze some of their favorite wet food with some water. Not only can it make a cool treat for them, they often like to play with the ice cubes so they get mental stimulation as well.
We want to make sure everyone reviews the signs of heatstroke, both in dogs and in cats, so you can recognize it quickly and get the medical attention they need. It is important to remember that heatstroke is both quick and potentially deadly, so the best thing to do is get medical help as fast as possible. For dogs the signs of heatstroke include Excessive panting or difficulty breathing, Dehydration (Signs of dehydration include dry nose, visible tiredness, excessive panting, and sunken eyes), Excessive drooling, Fever, Bright red, grey, purple or bluish gums, Lack of urine, Rapid pulse, Muscle tremors, Lethargy or weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, or dizziness. In cats the signs include restlessness, excessive drooling, being unsteady, vomiting, increased heart or pulse rate, collapsing, and abnormal vocalizations. If your dog or cat shows any of these signs and have been in a situation that can cause heat stroke, please call your veterinarian immediately for help. Be safe this summer and hug your special seniors tight.
