IT’S especially important to keep an eye on your pets during warm weather months. High temperatures can cause your furry friend to experience life-threatening heatstroke, and even the warm-weather activities you do can cause distress to your pet. Here are the things you need to watch out for.

Sunscreen alert

“Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals,” said Lori Bierbrier, medical director of community medicine at ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

It’s true that most mammals are susceptible to sunburn and bug bites. But that doesn’t mean you should be covering your dog with the same stuff you use on yourself. Many sunscreens and insect repellents contain ingredients that are harmful if eaten. Remember, your pet does not understand what these products are or why they’re used. If you choose to cover their skin with it, there’s a good chance they’ll want to investigate using their sense of smell or taste.

Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy, while misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

Instead, look for a sunscreen or bug spray that is designed specifically for animal use. However, be wary that some sprays that work for dogs may be toxic to cats.

Stay hydrated

Like humans, pets are susceptible to dehydration if they don’t drink enough water.

If you’re going to be participating in outdoor activities, like camping, it’s imperative that you always have water available for your pet to drink. You may also want to bring a small bowl for your pet to drink out of, too. Over the course of the day, dogs need to drink 30-60 ml of water for every kilo of bodyweight they have. Don’t wait for your pet to appear thirsty or beg.

Watch against heatstroke

Heatstroke is a life-threatening, medical emergency marked by an inability to cool down the body’s temperature. Since dogs don’t have sweat glands dispersed throughout their body like humans, they regulate their temperature by panting.

On the other hand, cats keep cool by using their own saliva and licking their body.

Both dogs and cats, along with rabbits, guinea pigs and other rodents, are susceptible to developing heatstroke. If left untreated, this condition can cause severe, potentially irreversible damage to your pet’s organs.

Some signs of heatstroke in dogs include seizures, stupor and delirium-like behavior. Cats may show signs of heat-related distress through excessive grooming, weakness or redness in their tongue.

If you notice any of these in your pet, immediately contact your vet.

Walk in the evening

Try not to walk your dog during the hottest time of day whenever possible. Instead, walk your dog during the evening. If the ground is too hot for your own bare feet, then it’s definitely too hot for your pets’ paws.

During the day, extremely high temperatures can cause the sidewalk temperature to reach triple digits. Some locations have reported sidewalk temperatures that were hot enough to cause second-degree burns.

In addition, exercising your pet during a heatwave puts them at risk for developing dehydration and heatstroke. Try to walk your pets during the evening to minimize these dangers. Avoid bringing your pet outside for extended periods of time when the temperature is high.

Beware of drowning risks

Be wary of leaving your pets unsupervised near swimming pools, especially in your own backyard. Not all pets know how to swim just because they’re an animal, and a single tumble into the deep end can quickly turn into a tragedy if you aren’t around.

If you’re bringing your pet around water for the first time, gradually ease them into it. Never throw any animal into any body of water against their will.

Not only does this scare them, but also it could be dangerous if they aren’t a strong swimmer. And if you plan on taking your pet for a boat ride, be sure they’re wearing a life vest, too.

(SD-Agencies)