Protect Your Pets During the Coming Heat Wave

This weekend, excessive heat across south Orange County will affect everyone--especially our four legged friends.

Animal services officials issued an alert Thursday telling pet owners to take steps to ensure their cats, dogs and other animals are kept cool during the triple-digit temperatures forecast for this weekend.

"Animals respond differently than humans to heat," officials said. "Dogs and cats do not sweat, so they must exert more energy to keep cool by panting. Extra care should be taken with short-nosed pets that may have a harder time breathing."

Pet owners should watch for signs of heatstroke, such as fast and noisy breathing, difficulty swallowing and distressed behavior.

If heatstroke is suspected, pet owners should place a cold, wet towel on the back of the animal's head, and towel-wrapped cold compresses on their back legs and belly. The pet should be immediately taken to the veterinarian to be checked.

Other tips include:

• ensure your pet has fresh drinking water that is served in a large container, instead of a shallow bowl, to allow the water to remain cold longer;
• give your dog ice cubes to eat or adding them to the water bowl
• NEVER leave pets by themselves in cars, and to keep pets at home if necessary;
• avoid burning dogs' paws by keeping them off of hot pavement or concrete during walks, and if necessarily do the walks early or later in the day when it is cooler
• take extra care to provide shade to pets with lighter coats, because they are more likely to be sunburned.

— City News Service, photo via Shutterstock