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Saturday, August 12, 2000. From the American Humane Association
When the Heat is On...
Cars can become ovens in the summer!
Keep cool! Summer brings hot weather and family vacations. Your pets will be affected by both. For a healthier, happier summer for you and your pets, follow these tips:
- Never leave your pets in a parked car, even if the windows are open. Ten minutes could be too long on a hot day. By then, the temperature inside the car could reach 160 degrees! That's hot enough to cause a dog to suffer heat stroke.
- Pets don't perspire as people do. They cool themselves by panting. With only hot air to breathe, your pets could suffer permanent brain damage within moments. If emergency care is not given, your pets could die. They may want to come along, but its much kinder to leave your pets at home with plenty of fresh, cool water and shade.
- Check your pets regularly for fleas, which are more common in hot weather. For flea control to be effective, your pet's entire environment must be treated, including the yard. Never use flea control products for dogs on cats, as they may ingest the powerful chemicals while grooming.
- Without proper planning, your dream vacation could become a nightmare for your pets. If they are staying behind, make advance boarding reservations with a veterinary clinic, reputable kennel or pet sitter, or make arrangements with a responsible friend.
-Your pets should always wear collars with proper identification tags (rabies and/or license) and be kept under control in accordance with the local laws. This is even more important when vacationing, as pets can easily become lost in a strange environment. Believe it or not, it is common for a dog not on a leash or cat not in a carrier or cage to bound away from your car when you stop at a rest site or gas station, never to be seen again. Think of your pet, use common sense, and you'll always have them with you.