As much , it害羞草研究所檚 not just people who need help with the dog days of summer. Pet owners have to consider how to both shield and cool down furry family members as intense 害羞草研究所� 害羞草研究所� heat waves become more common.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 really important to remember that if it害羞草研究所檚 hot outside for you, it害羞草研究所檚 even hotter for your pets,害羞草研究所� says Dr. Sandra Faeh, American Veterinary Medical Association president. A dog害羞草研究所檚 breed, weight and chronic health issues also matter. 害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 not one specific temperature that we can say, `this is the right temperature to go outside,害羞草研究所� because they害羞草研究所檙e all different.害羞草研究所�

In the U.S, over 180 million people, or 63% of households, have at least one pet, according to an American Pet Products Association report. is projected to be over $150 billion this year, yet a lot of pooch parents aren害羞草研究所檛 accustomed to changing routines or buying items for hot weather. This summer害羞草研究所檚 heat is making that more normal.

Simple safety steps

Of course, the surest strategy against high temperatures is to take pets out in the morning and evening, Faeh advises. If you must take them out during the day, be quick and stick to shade, grass and dirt. Pavement can be a scorcher on paws.

害羞草研究所淲e often think that their paws are thicker, they害羞草研究所檙e not as susceptible to the heat, but they are. They can blister, they can hurt,害羞草研究所� Faeh said.

One paw-sitive measure: Faeh says dog booties made with a thick fabric can help with hot surfaces. Dogs just need time to get the hang of walking in them.

Pets can also suffer sunburns, which can manifest as lighter pigment on the nose, or around the face on short-hair breeds. Veterinarians can prescribe special sunscreen.

Providing relief even after brief sun exposure is as important as sun protection. Cooling mats and small fans can help. And besides giving dogs water, you can . But not too cold, Faeh warns.

害羞草研究所淚f they get cold too quickly, their vessels constrict and then they have a harder time cooling off,害羞草研究所� she said.

, Faeh suggests putting pets in a cooler part of the home like a basement or a windowless room. Keep fresh water on hand and any blinds or curtains closed.

Signs to look for if a dog is experiencing include restlessness, excessive panting, drooling and even vomiting. Cats show distress through open-mouth breathing. In any of these scenarios, contact a veterinarian immediately, Faeh advises.

The importance of accessorizing

There害羞草研究所檚 a wide array of pet accessories and devices available to help beat the heat, says Pete Scott, American Pet Products Association president. But some markets have been caught off-guard by the higher temperatures.

害羞草研究所淵ou don害羞草研究所檛 think of Connecticut as being 100 degrees,害羞草研究所� said Scott, who is based in Stamford. 害羞草研究所淵ou害羞草研究所檝e got to be vigilant and be prepared. Like if it害羞草研究所檚 a week out when they say a heat wave is coming, everybody stocks up on bottled water. But they don害羞草研究所檛 also stock up for their pets.害羞草研究所�

Besides booties, protective gear can mean a sun visor and or goggles, if your pet will wear them.

David Escalante started Kaykos Dog Shades out of his San Francisco Bay Area home in 2016 after putting a makeshift pair of sunglasses on his family害羞草研究所檚 pit bull. Now, Escalante, his father and brother hand-make every pair in his San Jose garage. They have sold nearly 15,000 in the last three years.

Each pair has a drawstring, nose bridge rest and lenses that he says protect against ultraviolet light rays.

害羞草研究所淲e try to push 害羞草研究所� to let people know, 害羞草研究所楬ey, you know, think about your dog害羞草研究所檚 eyes now that you害羞草研究所檙e out and it害羞草研究所檚 super bright,害羞草研究所� said Escalante, who sells more during heat waves.

Other helpful tools include cooling collars and elevated dog beds that help with airflow, Scott says. You can also feed Fido chilled goodies like canine-friendly gelato, pup-sicles and ice cream mixes.

害羞草研究所淲hen it害羞草研究所檚 hot, . So do dogs, so do cats,害羞草研究所� Scott said.

Indoor playtime

Another solution is an indoor dog park. Spencer Mak and his wife, Lauren, have operated two Mak Pack Dog Training & Boarding facilities in suburban Phoenix since 2020. The 10,000-square-foot Chandler location includes an indoor dog park with agility exercises, climbing obstacles and a bounce house. They offer a $10 drop-in rate and a $49 monthly membership.

At its busiest, the indoor area has accommodated as many as 100 dogs. In June, when temperatures spiked, Mak saw 520 admissions compared to 300 in May 害羞草研究所� a nearly 75% jump.

He害羞草研究所檚 currently working on building an indoor doggy pool with ramps and floats.

And ugh, the car害羞草研究所�

Summertime also sees cases of people leaving or forgetting pets in hot cars. The temperature inside a vehicle can surpass the outside very quickly.

害羞草研究所淚t is so much better to just leave them at home and know that they害羞草研究所檙e gonna be wagging their tail and giving you kisses when you walk in the door,害羞草研究所� Faeh says.

Some vehicles come with dashboard alerts if a child or pet is still in the back. There are also backseat car alarms on the market. But ultimately, 害羞草研究所渋t always comes down to the human that owns the pet,害羞草研究所� Scott says.