PET SAFETY in HOT WEATHER · Moving Beyond Words

PET SAFETY in HOT WEATHER

☀️ HOT DAYS FEEL DIFFERENT TO THEM 🐾

I know we love our pets. We want them to get exercise and in many cases, we want them with us.

While we may be enjoying the sunshine, our animal companions experience heat very differently than we do. They can’t regulate their body temperature the same way we can, and the ground beneath their paws may be far hotter than the air around us.

Over the past few days, I’ve noticed so many people out walking their dogs along the boardwalk — often during the hottest part of the day, on pavement that has been baking in the sun for hours. While many understand that is it too hot to leave our pets in the car... there are some other things to consider.

🐾 A few simple reminders for hot days:

💧 Keep plenty of fresh, cool water available.
🌳 Make sure they always have access to shade and ventilation.
🐾 Check the pavement before walking — if it feels too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.
🌅 Choose early morning or later evening walks whenever possible.
🚗 Never leave an animal in a parked vehicle — even for a few minutes.
🎾 Reduce strenuous exercise during peak heat.
🏠 When temperatures are extreme, sometimes the safest choice is simply to stay indoors and find other ways to play, explore and connect.

And please know the warning signs of overheating: heavy panting, excessive drooling, bright red gums or tongue, weakness, vomiting, unsteadiness or collapse. If you see these signs, move your animal to a cooler place, offer water, begin gentle cooling with cool — not ice-cold — water, and contact a veterinarian immediately.

💛 Part of loving them is remembering that they experience the world through a different body than ours.

Before heading out, ask yourself:

Are the conditions safe for my pet?

Sometimes the most caring choice is to wait until the sun goes down. 🐾☀️

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PET SAFETY in HOT WEATHER