How You Can Keep Pets Cool During High Temps

With temperatures from coast to coast hitting over 100 degrees this week, finding ways to keep pets safe in the heat is a top priority! Heat can be dangerous for dogs and cats and even result in heat stroke. Whether you work or volunteer in a shelter or want to keep your pets at home safe, here are 5 ways you can help keep pets cool during this heat wave.

1. Provide Shade

Whenever pets are outside, whether with you or alone, they should always have easy access to shade coverage with good airflow.

2. Keep them hydrated

Dogs and cats should always have access to clean, fresh drinking water. Set up multiple bowls and buy spill-proof containers and buckets and check them often and provide new water often.

3. Fans and Ventilation

Large fans or swamp coolers in breezeways in shelters can help air cool down and move through your shelter. Consider donating a fan to your local shelter. At home, put fans in areas where your pets like to hang out outside.

4. Protect their Paws

Walk dogs early in the morning or late in the evening when asphalt and cement is cooler to the touch and won’t burn their paws. A good rule to test if it’s too hot to walk is to put you palm on the ground for five seconds-- if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet’s paw pads, too.

5. Fun ways to keep them cool

• Provide a kiddie pool filled with fresh water so dogs can lay down to get cool. You can even some apple slices to the pool, sit back and watch them bob for apples!
• Freeze watermelon slices for dogs! Leave the rind on so they can chew them up.
• Some dogs love sprinklers, turn them on and play.
• Freeze towels or give ice packs to dogs and cats so they have a cold place to lay.
• Drench a bandana in cold water and put on your dog's neck
• When it’s too hot for walks, food games like this can keep your dog occupied.
• If you work in a shelter, ask to start an Amazon Wishlist filled with items like fans, ice packs, swimming pools and toys to keep your shelter cool. Post it regularly to social media and watch the donations come in!

Signs of heatstroke: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/heat-stroke-in-dogs

Shelters! Grab these signs to place around your city and help keep pets safe. Or, grab this infographic to share on social media.