Dog Days of Summer are Dangerous for Pets

The dog days of summer are downright dangerous for man's best friend.

Pets can overheat very easily, and without proper shelter and enough water, dogs and cats are especially prone to heat exhaustion and even heat stroke.

Which explains why Livingston Fire Chief Chris Mullin rescued a dog left on a balcony on a hot day last week at Carillon Circle.

“The dog was ‘accidentally’ left out on the balcony (In direct sunlight on 86 degree day) by the cleaning lady,” Mullin reported.

Animal Control notified the Fire Department, Mullin said, and firefighters raised a ladder to the second floor balcony to rescue the pet. The dog was transported to the Animal Hospital and treated for heat exposure.

With and people warned to stay cool, vets provided some common sense tips to help keep your furry, four-legged friends safe.

1. Keep it Cool

Don’t forget about Fluffy when you leave your apartment for the day or even on vacation. Pets can easily get overheated so keep your air conditioning on low and make sure there’s plenty of ventilation. Lowering the shades will also help keep your home cool. Never leave your pet the car. When it's 80 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the temperature inside your car will hit 99 degrees in 10 minutes.

2. Water, Water Everywhere

To prevent dehydration and exhaustion, be sure to keep plenty of cool, fresh water available for all pets – especially the older ones! This goes for even shorter sidewalk strolls or festivals in the park. Wherever your pets are, let there be water.

3. Paws up!

Rover loves walking the city but hot asphalt can quickly and easily put him in a lot of pain. Try to walk in parks when possible and stick to the shady side of the street.

4. Bugs be Gone

Ticks, fleas and other bugs are not just for country dogs. Any grassy, tree-filled area can have them, so check Spot routinely and consider arming him with a repellent like Frontline, which is applied once a month.

5. Window watch

Summer is prime time for “High-Rise Syndrome,” with a huge increase in the number of cats falling out of apartment windows. During the warmer months, veterinarians at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital see approximately three to five cases a week. Falling short distances is especially dangerous to cats, so keep Tigger away from all unscreened open windows in warmer months.