How Hot is Too Hot?
Summer’s almost here and temperatures are rising fast! It’s time to sweat (or hide in the air conditioning). But your dog can’t sweat, and your cat only sweats between his toes. So, how do you tell if your pet is starting to get overheated? It’s not quite the same with them as it is for us, but there are signs that will seem obvious, once you know them.
Short-faced dogs are predisposed to heat stress, so be sure to keep them cool! Of course, we all know that pets should never be left in hot cars during the summer, and while that’s the most common cause of pet heatstroke, it isn’t the only one. In fact, your pets can become heat stressed while playing outside (especially if they just don’t know when to quit!), staying in buildings that aren’t air-conditioned, or spending too much time in the direct sun. Additionally, short-nosed breeds of dogs and cats (like Pugs, Boston Terriers, and Persians) and overweight or obese pets are especially predisposed to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.