Protecting pets

6:50 PM, Jul. 2, 2013  |  Comments
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The sweltering heat with temperatures soaring past the 100 mark the past couple of weeks has had many people thinking about the health aspects of keeping cool and out of the sun's direct light.

Too often, though, we forget about the heat's impact on our pets. The furry creatures that we play with, pet or ride can be susceptible to the same kinds of serious health issues as humans - in some cases more so - such as heat stroke if we aren't careful.

When it gets this hot, the best scenario is to bring pets indoors. Yes, that requires more effort, but not doing so can have deadly consequences. Unlike their masters, dogs, for example, only sweat through their footpads and can pant to stay cool. That's not enough when the mercury climbs into triple digits.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals provides some other worthwhile tips for what are widely recognized as house pets. For example, if pets can't come indoors, then it's critical that they have shade and water. And remember to account for the shifting of the sun in the sky so pets can move from one shady spot to another. Also take into account to have water in multiple locations so there is always a relatively cool drink to be had.

Never leave pets in parked cars. Even a few minutes can cause heat stroke, brain damage or death. And during the intense heat is not the time to exercise a pet. This is the time of year that it's best to play with them indoors or not exercise them at all.

Large animals also require extra care during excessive heat. When possible, provide unenclosed areas of shade. When that isn't possible, at the very least ensure there is plenty of water in multiple locations. That's especially important when herds are involved so dominant animals can't intimidate others from an opportunity to drink.

When transporting animals - large or small - don't force them to stand on hot metal. For example, park trailers in shade to help keep the temperatures down, and don't transport dogs in the backs of pickup trucks because of the potential for animals to catapult during sudden stops and because of the likelihood of burns on foot pads when truck beds have been exposed to the hot sun.

Pets bring a lot of joy to our lives, so it's up to us to protect them. Livestock is part of the livelihood for many people, so it's important to protect that investment.

The summer sizzle is definitely here, and the heat wave doesn't show signs of fully subsiding in the near future. So take some steps to protect the animals that mean so much to so many people. A little care and thought now can help protect our furry friends, even when temperatures are in the triple digits.

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