Fall is here, but the hot weather is not over yet. With widespread Heat Advisories across the state and Excessive Heat Warnings into Sunday, October 6, The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) wants to keep everyone safe, including our pets.
When playing with your pets outside, knowing the signs of overheating is important.
Look out for:
- Excessive panting
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive Drooling
- Mild weakness
- Vomiting
- Elevated body temperature
Overheating can be very scary and dangerous for your pets, knowing the signs and how to prevent overheating can help keep your pet safe.
When outdoors with your pet:
- Exercise your pet during the morning or evening when the sun is not at its peak. If the ground is too hot for your feet, it’s probably too hot for theirs.
- Older and at-risk pets may have difficulty handling the extreme heat.
- Ensure your pet has lots of fresh clean water, as temperatures increase so does the amount of water your animal might need. Make sure this water is not left in the sun; this could cause the water to be too hot for your pet.
- If outdoors, take shade breaks and try to keep off the asphalt.
- Visit your vet to know your pet’s health risks.
Hot weather tips for pets:
- Sunburn
- Pets can get sunburned too. When your pet is outside, ensure they have access to shade, cool water and the ability to go indoors.
- Car Safety
- Never leave pets alone inside of the car. With the extreme heat, it is illegal and dangerous in the State of California.
- Water Safety
- If taking pet to the water, make sure your pet knows how to swim or has a lifejacket. Not all pets are good swimmers and leaving them unsupervised can become dangerous very quickly.