If you notice your furry co-driver is getting overheated, it’s natural to want to reach for cool water, or even ice, to cool him or her down, but vets warn that doing so can be dangerous for your pet.
While jumping into a cool pool is a refreshing way for many humans to cool off, dousing your pet with cold water can cause shock or even a stroke.
If your pet is overheated– temperature of 103 or above– vets recommend cooling your pet off gradually. Start with rubbing your pet down with a cool, damp cloth, then gently mist water on them, but don’t spray or dump water on them.
You may place a fan in front of your pet to help cool him or her off.
“Once the body temperature is gradually reduced to 103 F, further cooling efforts are not necessary. If a dog is cooled off too quickly, they can go into shock and organ failure,” Veterinary Practice News states.
On hot days, don’t let your pet drink large amounts of water all at once. Overheated pets who consume large amounts of water in one sitting may bloat, which can be very painful and dangerous.
Vets recommend that you feed your pets a few small meals in place of larger ones.
For more information on keeping your pets safe in the summer heat, see:
KEEPING YOUR PETS COOL IN THE SUMMER HEAT
TIPS FOR TAKING YOUR PETS ON THE ROAD
Sources:
Veterinary Practice News
ASPCA