14 Signs Your Pet Is Too Hot: Can You Recognize Them All?

If you think it's hot out, just imagine what our pets are feeling. Many times they can be suffering from all kinds of heat problems and the symptoms may show up when it's too late. Heat stroke can be a life-threatening issue for both humans and pets.

Heatstroke...the ultimate and often deadly result of overheating ...is caused by a dangerous elevation in an animal's body temperature.

While it most often occurs in dogs left in cars during the summer months, it can also happen in late spring and the first weeks of summer if a pet is exposed to high temperatures before he or she has acclimated to the heat.

Every year, dogs suffer and die when their guardians make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car—even for "just a minute"—while they run an errand.

Parked cars are deathtraps for dogs: On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 100 and 120 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes.

A Form of Cruelty—Literally

Many states and local governments have laws that prohibit leaving an animal unattended in a motor vehicle under dangerous conditions, which include hot days.

Under these laws, police, animal control agents, peace officers and others may be authorized to enter by whatever means necessary to remove the animal. 

You could have your car damaged, be charged with a crime, and fined or imprisoned. It’s not worth it—don’t leave your pet in the car!

Some pets are at higher risk for heat-related illness than others, including brachycephalic breeds (dogs and cats with flat faces and short noses), older pets, puppies and kittens, animals that are ill or have a chronic health condition, pets not used to warm weather, and any pet left outside in hot weather.

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS OF OVERHEATING IN YOUR PET (and yourself)

►14 SIGNS of HEATSTROKE:

1. Heavy panting or rapid breathing

Woman leaves dog in hot car.
Cop forces her to see how dog felt.
Read the story here

2. Excessive thirst

3. Glazed eyes

4. Vomiting

5. Bloody diarrhea

6. Bright or dark red tongue, gums

7. Staggering, stumbling

8. Elevated body temperature

9. Weakness, collapse

10. Increased pulse and heartbeat

11. Body temperature from 104-110F

12. Seizures

13. Excessive drooling

14. Unconsciousness (coma)

If you think your pet may have heat stroke, visit a vet immediately.

Just because the symptoms go away, don’t assume your pet is fine. Its internal organs may still be suffering from heat stroke. This is why it is so important to keep an eye on your pet while out on a hot day.

Dog Heatstroke Survival Guide

Use the following tips to keep your pet cool 

on hot days

• Take your pet to a cool, shaded place. 
• Use cool, wet fabric to wrap around your pet’s feet and head. 
• Dump cool water on your pet. Don’t use ice water, as this may cause blood vessels to constrict. 
• Offer ice cubes to lick and provide plenty water.

Heatstroke can occur during walks, runs, high energy play time, even if your yard or walking path is shaded.

Here's a list of pointers to prepare everyone for the coming long, hot days especially in the desert

Avoid the heat. Just like humans, pets are prone to heat exhaustion. Keep your pets indoors during excessive heat warnings, no exceptions. And don't forget to keep them hydrated!

Pool play. A baby pool is a great way to include your pet in outdoor family fun. Make sure the water is in a shady, safe area. Watch any kids playing in the same area.

Lose the chain. Never chain an animal outdoors, they could wander outside of the shade and get tangled up-keeping them from cooler spots and water sources. Always make sure your pet has access to a cool, non-metal container with clean water.

Street heat. Don't exercise your pooch in peak heat hours. The concrete and pavement can burn your dog's paws. save the walks for early mornings or late evenings. Remember to wear proper gear to make you visible to cars and bikers at night.

Take it slow. Do not over-exercise your pet. If they do become ill in the heat, you probably won't notice until its too late to get help.

Stick together. Just like a child, same rules apply. Never, EVER leave your pet in a parked car.

Asphalt

If it's too hot for your feet, then it's too hot for your pets paws.

DID YOU KNOW?

Dogs can’t sweat! Instead, they pant to cool themselves off. So when it’s hot, be sure that your dog has lots of fresh water to drink and isn’t out in the sun for too long.

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