Dangerous Conditions: How Heat and Humidity Affect Your Dog

Dangerous Conditions: How Heat and Humidity Affect Your Dog

By: Alex Lieber

Prevention

Use precautions to avoid heat injury in your pet during the following conditions:

  • Temperatures greater than 100 degrees (use general precautions for at-risk pets at 90 degrees)

  • Heat index greater then 72 (start precautions for at-risk breeds)

  • Heat index great than 75 (use absolute precautions for at-risk breeds)

    Precautions include the following:

  • Keep pets in well ventilated areas.

  • Provide exercise early in the morning or late in the evening (the coolest times of the day).

  • Minimize exercise in hot weather.

  • Do not leave your pet in a car for any reason at any time.

  • Keep pets in the house in a comfortable environment during extreme weather conditions if possible.

  • Limit sun exposure during the mid-day hours.

  • Give your pet plenty of fresh water, and leave the water in a shady area.

  • For a sudden high temperature change – allow your pet to acclimate.
    Many cases of heat illness occur in the spring when your pet is not yet used to the new temperatures.

  • If traveling to a hotter climate, allow several days to become acclimated before allowing any vigorous exercise for your pet; work up to it gradually.

  • Ensure that puppies and kittens drink adequate amounts of liquids.

     
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