TUCSON, Ariz. -The Pima Animal Care Center reminds pet owners that your pets can also feel the heat of summer weather.
Each year PACC says they respond to hundreds of calls about pets suffering heat-related illness and death.
In order to make sure your pet stays cool and enjoys the summer months here are a few tips from PACC:
- Keep pets indoors: there’s no better place to avoid the heat.
- Keep them hydrated: provide clean, cool drinking water in an easily accessible, spill-proof container.
- Provide shade: Ensure your pet has all-day access to a shaded spot with good air flow. For dogs with longer coats, even shaded spots can be too hot during 100 degree plus temps.
- Protect their paws: walk your pet in the early morning or in the evening when the asphalt has cooled down and won’t burn their paws. Place the back of your hand on the ground for five seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet’s paw pads.
- Don’t leave them inside a car: even with the windows cracked, the interior temperature can become deadly within just a couple of minutes
