Prevent Heat Exhaustion in Your Pets Before It Leads to Their and Your Tragedy
Keeping Pets Safe in the Heat: Recognising and Responding to Heat Exhaustion
As temperatures rise, it's essential for pet owners to be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and know how to respond. This condition, a life-threatening emergency that affects all body systems, requires quick action.
Key signs of heat exhaustion in dogs and cats include excessive panting or open-mouth breathing, drooling, restlessness or seeking cool surfaces, lethargy or unusual sluggishness, bright red or pale gums, rapid or uneven heartbeat, unsteady movement, weakness, difficulty standing, vomiting or diarrhea (sometimes with blood), muscle tremors, confusion, collapse, seizures, or unconsciousness. Cats may also show subtle signs like increased grooming, unusual vocalization, anxiety, or hiding.
When you notice these signs, prompt action is critical. Move the pet to a cooler environment, such as shade or indoors with air conditioning. Offer small amounts of water to drink but avoid forcing water. Apply cool (not cold) water to the pet’s body, especially the paw pads, belly, and head, to help reduce body temperature. Use fans or damp towels to assist cooling, but avoid ice or very cold water, which can cause shock.
If symptoms worsen or if the pet collapses, struggles to breathe, or shows severe confusion or seizures, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Remember, animals with thick coats, flat faces, seniors, puppies, and those with health issues are especially vulnerable.
Cats usually don't start panting until the overheating is more serious compared to dogs. Instead, they mainly rely on evaporative cooling by grooming themselves and allowing the saliva to evaporate off their fur. Dogs, on the other hand, rely on panting to bring their internal temperature down when temperatures rise.
In addition to these measures, keeping drinking water available for pets and offering sips, but not forcing them to drink, is recommended. Placing a pet in front of a fan or near an air conditioner vent can also help cool them down. However, avoid placing them in a bath or shower with tepid water, and never use ice cold water, as this can cause shock.
As more than 100 million Americans prepare for days of relentless heat, it's wise to play it safe and leave pets in the safety and cool of the indoors. If you haven't already made home upgrades to survive the record-breaking heat, now is the time to do so.
For added peace of mind, consider using Apple AirTags with AirTag-compatible collars to track pets. High-risk pets include very young or older animals, those with underlying health conditions, dogs and cats with darker fur, and brachycephalic breeds.
By being vigilant and quick to act, we can help ensure our pets stay safe and healthy during the hot summer months.
When considering the safety of pets during the heat, it's crucial to understand the role of science in understanding their response to extreme temperatures. For instance, the science of thermoregulation explains why certain breeds, like those with thick coats or flat faces, are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion.
In the realm of innovation, the use of technologies such as Defi wallets, or digital wallets, could potentially offer a solution for pet owners who wish to keep track of their health-and-wellness expenses related to their pets. This could include veterinary bills, pet insurance premiums, and other related costs, helping pet owners budget and manage their financial resources more effectively.
