5 Health Tips for Pet Ownership in HOTlanta

It might be hard to imagine that we’ll ever get out of stay home orders, but we will! We will see this through and come out strong on the other side. As we gear up for the HOTlanta heat, we have 3 important health tips to share with all you dog owners. Have more tips to ensure their health and safety during the crazy hot and humid days? Share them in the comments!

  1. If you’re walking or hanging out in the heat, make sure your pet has a) a shady place to retreat and b) lots of *clean,* fresh water to drink. We all want to bring Fido along to gatherings whenever possible, but it’s important to remember that they are wearing many more layers than we are so they need you to ensure they stay hydrated and cool.
  2. *Never* leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle. Yes, we all feel like dogs get FOMO, but sometimes it’s better to leave them at home – they’ll thank you in the long run. If you do want to take your fur ball to run errands, you should only do so if someone can stay *inside* the car with them at all times with the windows down and cool air circulating through the air conditioning system. Simply parking in a shady spot is not enough; you know these ATL temps can be scorching at the height of the summer months.
  3. Don’t let your dog linger on asphalt or dark pavement for too long. Their pads are sensitive and can burn. Keep hot weather walks to a minimum.
  4. Keep bugs and pests away from your fur balls. Talk to your veterinarian about safe ways to prevent insect-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and heartworm.
  5. Know the common symptoms of heat exhaustion in your pets. Dogs who have gotten too hot often drool excessively, pant heavier than normal, vomit, or become lethargic. Other common signs are discolored gums, lack of urine, and diarrhea.

In general, we recommend you trust your gut. If your instincts are telling you it might be too hot to take your fur ball along, you’re probably right.

If you suspect that your pup has become overheated, take them to a cooler place and apply room temperature (not cold) water to their ears and eyes; offer them a drink too. Once you’ve made these changes, we recommend calling your vet immediately. Better to be safe than sorry!

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