Hot weather can spell danger for your pets. The National Weather Service has issued an urgent heat advisory that remains in effect from 11 am this morning to 8 pm Friday. Please take the proper precautions.
Dogs and cats can suffer from the same problems that humans do in hot weather. These health concerns include overheating, dehydration and even sunburn. By taking some simple precautions, you can keep your companions healthy and happy in higher temperatures.
- Never leave your animal alone in a vehicle. Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can quickly become a furnace.
- Limit exercise. Your pet may slow down when the weather heats up, so the best time for exercise is in the early morning or evening, but never when it’s especially hot or humid.
- Take care not to let your dog stand on hot asphalt, his body can heat up quickly and his sensitive paw pads can easily burn.
- Never trim your pet’s coat to the skin, which can rob your dog of his protection from the sun.
- Always provide plenty of shade and cool, clean water for animals kept outdoors. A properly constructed doghouse is a must if you dog lives outdoors.
- Bring your cat or dog inside during the hottest part of the day.
- Make sure your pet always wears a collar and identification tag.
- In Suffolk County tethering a dog outside in temperatures over 90° is against the law.
- If you see a dog in a HOT car, record information about the vehicle: make, model, color, license plate number. Alert the manager of the business. Call 911 or the Suffolk County SPCA. Stay with the dog until help arrives.
