LifeLine Animal Project's Hot Weather Tips for Pets, and Meet Our DeKalb Pets of the Week

Intense heat can cause the same problems for pets as it does for humans, including overheating, dehydration, sunburn and heatstroke. By taking the following precautions, you can protect your pet from the elements while still enjoying Georgia’s hot summer days.

Never Leave Your Pets in the Car

On hot or even warm, sunny days, the inside of a car heats up quickly. For example, when it’s 85 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can climb to 102 degrees in 10 minutes and to 120 in 30 minutes, even with the windows open.

Exercise your pet during cooler times of the day

Walk your pet in the early morning or later in the evening.

Watch out for hot pavement!

Hot asphalt can cause your dog’s body to heat up quickly and burn paw pads. Determine if the pavement is too hot by using your bare hand or foot. If it’s too hot for you, it is too hot for your pet!

Bring Pets Inside

Bring your dog or cat indoors during the heat of the day. If you must keep your pets outside, provide them with a shaded shelter, and always make sure they have plenty of cool water.

Grooming

Brush your pets frequently during the summer, since this will keep them cooler. Don’t shave their hair down below an inch, since fur helps protect them from the temperatures and sun.

Heatstroke

A dog’s normal body temperature is 101 to 102.5 degrees. If their temperatures reaches 107 degrees, they can suffer brain damage or even death. Heatstroke symptoms include: excessive panting, a sudden stopping of panting, salivation, an anxious or staring expression, weakness, muscle tremors, red tongue, blue lips, vomiting, collapse or coma.

If your dog show symptoms of heatstroke, immediately do the following:

• Move the dog to a cool, shady place
• Pour cool water on him and offer him some to drink
• Fan him vigorously to promote evaporation
• Rush him to the veterinarian

DO NOT apply ice, since it will constrict blood flow and inhibit cooling.

LifeLine Animal Project’s DeKalb County Animal Services Pets of the Week: Farmer and Sissy

Farmer is an adorable, one-year-old teddy bear who has a beautiful shiny black coat and brown soulful eyes. He is sweet, full of life, adores people and loves to shower everyone he meets with affection. Farmer gets along great with other dogs. Come meet this soft-hearted boy today, and get ready to be kissed!

Sissy is a pretty, gray, cuddle bug who loves to have fun. This one-year-old girl enjoys playing with toys, bouncing around like a bunny and having her belly rubbed. She is good natured and gets along well with other dogs. And if you’re looking for a dog to snuggle with at night, Sissy would love to apply for the job! Come meet this one-of-a-kind gal today.

Farmer and Sissy qualify for our June “Make Waves” promotion, so their adoption fees will be waved during June! Come meet these terrific dogs today! Simply drop by the shelter at 845 Camp Road in Decatur, email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com or call (404) 294-2165. They cannot wait to meet you!