This summer is really flying by. Labor Day just passed, but the heat is still as strong as ever. If you are in Southern California, it could still be in the 90’s for another month or two! Dr. Eve and Kadeth have been working on this blog for a while, but we figured it will probably be of more use to pets and their people if we put it out there before the end of summer;) Here we go.
Summer is a super fun time to be with your pets. However, our pets cannot reach over and open a window, grab a frozen beverage, turn the AC up, or drive themselves to the mountains or a swimming pool to cool off. So it is our job, as their human guardians, to provide adequate “cabin control” and comfort for our furry best friends during these increasingly hot and humid summers. Here are some tips to keep your pets happy and safe:
1. At Home:
There are many cooling pet mat products out there including non-toxic self-cooling mats, and mats that can be kept in the refrigerator and taken out for a pet to use when it is hot out. You may also consider placing a few ice packs under a towel, cat bed, or mat for pets to rest on.
If you don’t have AC in your home, make sure to leave a fan on through out the day even if you are not home. If the temperature is excessively hot in the house, you can wet down your pets’ heads, outter ear flaps, and paws with a small amount of water if they are ok with it. Just make sure not to get any water in their eyes or inside of their ear canals.
There are many recipes for homemade frozen treats for dogs and cats to snack on in the summer. Occasional slices of frozen celery, bananas, apples, and watermelon can be a nice cooling treat for cats and dogs. Even non-frozen veggies like carrots, broccoli, and snap peas can be hydrating and cooling for pets. (NEVER feed grapes to a dog– those are toxic). Some pets also love ice cubes in their water bowls.
2. Hiking:
It is important to hike during the cooler hours of the day, such as the morning and the evening. Make sure to carry water for your pet at all times. There are many great portable dog and cat water bowls and bottles out there now. If your dog is stopping on the trail, is panting excessively, breathing very loudly, or appears to be exhausted, it may be time to pick up your pet and head back (or head to the vet, depending on how bad it is).
Please always keep your pet on leash. Leashes protect pets from becoming lost or from encountering wilderness hazards such as porcupines, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, and sick, injured, or rabid animals. Unleashed dogs can intimidate other hikers, injure or kill wildlife, and get into altercations with other dogs. Also important to keep in mind is that when your pet is off leash, they can run through poison oak or poison ivy. Your dog will likely not be affected, but you may be when you pet her later!
Watch out for dried foxtail plants on trails. These buggers often get stuck in between toes, get sucked up into noses, into ears, and other crevices. These are very dangerous as they carry a bacteria called Actinomyces and can become lodged into tissue, causing serious infections and requiring surgical removal. The best way to avoid exposure to these is to avoid having your pet walk in areas where there are foxtails. The next best thing to do is have your dog wear special booties and/or protective netting made specifically to keep foxtails away. If your dog is limping, sneezing, or shaking his or her head after a hike, there could be a foxtail that needs to be removed by a veterinarian.
Watch out for rattlesnakes. Most dogs get bitten in the muzzle while sniffing in bushes. If your dog is bitten by a rattlesnake, he or she needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Something to consider if your dog hikes with you often in Southern California is rattlesnake avoidance training. There is also a rattlesnake bite vaccine available, but Dr. Eve has seen many adverse reactions associated with this vaccine, and personally thinks avoidance training is a better investment.
Hiking is not just for dogs- cats can hike too! If you are interested in training your cat to hike, check out adventurecat.org
3. Sun Exposure:
If you are going to bring your pets outdoors, the best practice is to keep animals out of the direct sun, avoiding the hottest times of day. Though it is fairly rare, animals actually can get skin cancer as well, particularly light colored and short-haired (or hairless!) pets that spend significant time outdoors in the sun. Animals definitely can get sunburns as well, especially on noses, ear tips, eyelids, bellies, and other parts of their bodies that are not covered with fur.
If your pet is coming to the beach with you, or will be out during the very sunniest times of day, there may still be something you can do! Have you every wondered if there is a sunscreen for animals? How about sunglasses for animals? Well, both do exist! For doggy sunglasses, check out Doggles with UV protection. Some veterinary dermatologists recommend Epi-Pet spray, which is currently the only FDA approved sunscreen labeled for dogs. There are no FDA approved sunscreens for cats (yet), however some dermatologists report that using water resistant sunscreen products for humans that contain an SPF of 30 or higher, do not have a strong odor, and are quickly absorbed, such as the Bullfrog water-resistant products do seem to be well tolerated by cats. You may also want to check out this article: https://www.adventurecats.org/gear-safety/does-your-cat-need-sunscreen/).
Many pets will not tolerate sunglasses or sunscreen, and some pet sunscreens are made for dogs but are not ok for cats, so you’ll have to see what works best for your fur family and/or consult your vet. Never use human sunscreens that contain zinc oxide, octyl salicylate, or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) on your pet, as those can be toxic. When trying out a new sunscreen, it is best to test out a tiny amount first on a very small area of non-haired skin, to make sure there are no reactions prior to applying it to other areas of your pet. If sunscreens and sunglasses don’t work out, bodysuits, shirts, and hats for dogs with UV protection exist and can also be used!!
4. Urban Areas:
The sidewalk can get extremely hot during the summer and can actually burn a dog’s paw pads. We’ve seen it happen many times! If the ground is too hot to touch with your hands and hold for 5 seconds, it is too hot for your pet’s paws. We recommend booties for doggies to keep their feet safe. Or stick with cooler grassy areas for them to walk on.
5. In The car:
Make sure to keep the windows open for your dog so that she can stick her head out and experience that glorious wind blowing in her face. But please, make sure not to allow the windows to be so far open that a pet can jump out of a window. Also, please don’t allow your dog to ride in the flatbed of a truck without being secured in. Trust us, we’ve seen far too many animals in the emergency room that have jumped out of cars and trucks unexpectedly and sustained life threatening or life ending injuries. Never ever leave a pet in a car alone. This has lead to heatstroke and many fatalities. We love your pets and you, and never want this to happen to anyone!
6. Swimming:
Swimming is a wonderful way for dogs to cool off and get exercise in the summer! Swimming is also an excellent way for dogs to get exercise. It is particularly therapeutic for pets with arthritis since swimming is a low impact way to build and maintain muscle mass. There are swimming pools and beaches for dogs all over Southern California. It is VERY important to keep dogs way from ponds, however, due to toxic and deadly algae blooms.
7. Allergies and Itching:
Fleas exist year round in Southern California in outdoor and indoor pets alike, but the flea problem does tend to become significantly worse during the hot and humid months. Many pets have severe flea allergies that only require a single flea bite to cause a flare up that lasts weeks and leads to secondary bacterial infections, which make the itching much more intense. Certain pollens are also more active in the summer, which can lead to allergies in some pets. If your pet has very itchy feet, try cleaning or soaking their feet after each walk, and then drying them thoroughly afterwards. Sometimes medicated shampoos and baths can really help with the itching as well. Some pets, including indoor cats, benefit from getting a nice short summer cut or shave down at the groomer. There are many options (holistic and western medicine) available for the treatment of allergies, itching, and fleas. If you notice that your pet is itchier than normal, a visit with your vet is in order! Having a vet help you treat itching in your pet is something that can dramatically improve the quality of your pet’s life.
8. Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM):
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine has many remedies to clear heat, treat heat related conditions, as well as support the constitution of your pet. Some of these modalities include acupuncture, herbal medication, and modification of the diet for the summer months. If you are interested to learn more, check out a TCVM practitioner near you! http://www.tcvm.com/Resources/FindaTCVMPractitioner.aspx
- Older Pets:
Older pets may have a hard time with the heat, and may need to slow down on walks, or have shorter walks during the summer heat. Some pets may require more water than previously. If you are noticing your pet drinking or urinating excessively, though, it is time for a visit with your vet. We do often see that extreme heat (as well as extreme cold) can exacerbate any chronic illness that your pet has already been managing. Be vigilant about how your older cat or dog is doing, and if the heat is exacerbating any ongoing medical condition, let your vet know.
- Signs of Overheating:
Pets that are very furry, darkly colored, or have a short face (“Brachycephalic” breeds ie: Pug, Bulldog, French bulldog, Persian cats) are exceptionally prone to overheating and getting heat stroke since they can not clear heat from their bodies as well. It is important to recognize signs EARLY that your pet may be getting too hot.
Signs that may indicate your pet is too hot: panting excessively or breathing more loudly than normal, a very dark red/purple/pink tongue, drinking excessively, lethargy, weakness, staring into space, attempting to lie on the cool tile floor or attempting to lie down in the bathtub. If you see any of these signs, you should allow your pet to stop any activity they are doing, rest in a cool area, offer them cool water, put some water on their paw pads, and wipe their ears down with a wet washcloth, and put a fan on to help them get rid of the heat through evaporative cooling.
If your pet does not seem to be getting more comfortable within a few minutes, it is time for a visit to the vet.
We hope you and your furry family stay safe and enjoy the rest of the summer. Please let us know if we can be of service.
Sending cool vibes,
Marigold Veterinary
Dr. Eve Harrison, VMD, CVA & Kadeth Pozzesi, MA, MFTA