Escambia County Animal Shelter Hot Weather Tips for Pets

As summer approaches, Escambia County encourages residents to practice warm weather pet safety and know the potential risks associated with rising temperatures. Animal Services Manager John Robinson shared the following tips to keep your pets safe, healthy and happy all summer long:

1. Make sure you have plenty of fresh water and shade for your pet at all times. Animals can get dehydrated quickly so make you fill their water bowl often when it's hot or humid outside. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, and be careful not to over-exercise them. If it's extremely hot, keep them indoors.
2. Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle without the air conditioning on, not even for a minute. This can lead to heat stroke and death, and is illegal in several states. A car traps the rising heat and sunlight, bringing the heat in the car to deadly temperatures, even if the outside temperature is less than 75 degrees. When it is 85 degrees, it takes less than 10 minutes for a car’s temperature to reach over 100 degrees even when the windows are cracked.
3. Know the warning signs of overheating in pets and keep an eye out for any animal exhibiting the following symptoms: excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. Symptoms can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit.
4. Animals with shorter snouts, like pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke because they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
5. Limit your pet's exposure to asphalt and keep walking on pavement to a minimum to avoid burning the pads of their paws. Asphalt temperatures can reach highs of 145 degrees in the summer and can cause serious, painful burns. Touch the back of your hand to the pavement for seven seconds — if it's uncomfortable for your hand, it's too hot for a dog's paws!
6. Remember that food and drink commonly found at cookouts and barbecues can be toxic to pets. Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression and comas.

The Escambia County Animal Shelter is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive and is open Monday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the shelter at 850-595-3075.