Summer Heat Pet Tips | July 2015 Summer Tips & Tricks

It’s finally July and boy, is it HOTTT!

A heat stroke in many places of California coupled with a drought make it hard to spend time outside. Understanding the limits of your furry friend is important as the thermometer rises this month, so here at American Grooming Academy we are preparing you with things to keep your pet cool and healthy.

Hottt Pavement!

When the temperature outside rises, the heat from paved surfaces can be scorching. For us slip on a pair of sandals and we can walk for days. Not so much for your padded foot friend.Paw pads are cushions on the bottom of dogs feet. They are very tough, thick, and well insulated. Paw pads are made of fat, connective tissue, and the thickest skin found on the entire body.Even though a dog’s paw pads are tough, they are not immune to injury. One of the most common paw pads injury in the summer is blistering. Dogs who walk on hot pavement, or run with you regularly may have trouble when the ground is hot. This skin becomes burned and then blisters and peels like a human sunburn. An easy way to protect your pet is to take off your shoes. If the ground is too hot for you, its too hot for your pet. Consider a schedule change to your daily walk or run. Early morning or after the sun goes down!

Heat Stroke, A Deadly Problem

Hyperthermia or more commonly known as heat stroke, can occur in your pet very quickly on a hot day. It is a fully avoidable problem and can be stopped by an educated pet parent. Heatstroke occurs when normal body mechanisms of your pet cannot keep the body’s temperature in a safe range. Cats and Dogs do not have efficient cooling systems (like humans who sweat) and get overheated easily. A dog’s normal body temperature ranges from 99 degrees to 102 degrees fahrenheit. Heat stroke, when your pet’s body reaches over 104 degrees,can be deadly and immediate veterinary assistance is needed. The dog’s body reacts to the immediate heat by shutting down organs, eventually resulting in death if a pet can not be cooled down quickly.A dog suffering from heatstroke will display several signs:

Rapid panting
Bright red tongue
Red or pale gums
Thick, sticky saliva
Depression
Weakness
Dizziness
Vomiting – sometimes with blood
Diarrhea
Shock
Coma

If you’re out with your pet and these signs are present, consult your vet immediately for medical attention! Here are also some fun things to do with your pet when the temperature outside reaches a dangerous level.