Hot Day?! COOL Down!

Phew! It is sizzling outside in our little corner of the world, and it’s certainly not just because the love that Project R.E.A.C.H. is getting is warming our hearts! J 

With that being said, it is oh-so-important to make sure you and your pets are kept cool and hydrated.

Here are some ways to keep your cats and dogs cool:

1 . Offer fresh, cool water as often as you can. It will entice those thirsty friends! After all, nobody likes drinking warm water on a scorching day. 

2 . Crushed ice also makes for a refreshing snack! 

3. If you are outside with your pets, turn on a sprinkler/ hose and let them cool down, or supervise visits to a baby pool filled with cool water. Make sure to be vigilant and supervise your pet’s interaction with water. A trip to a local pet-friendly watering hole or lake would be fun too!

4.  It is preferable to make trips outside as short as possible to limit the exposure to extreme heat.

5. Cool down a hot pet with damp towels.

6. Leave your pet at home, inside where it is cool, when you run errands. Cars are no place for dogs to be left during cool times, let alone during heatwaves!!

Here's an awesome Hot Car Flyer with information that you can share from The Humane Society of the United States: http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/pets/hot_car_flyer.pdf

7. Offer frozen pet-friendly homemade treats. There are some easy recipes that you can find with a quick internet search. 

8. Brush your pet regularly to remove excess fur and check the pads of their feet regularly to ensure they are properly moisturized.

9. Recognize that pets can get sunburn too. Pets with shorter hair or that generally are pale in complexion are most susceptible to the sun's burning rays. Talk to your veterinarian about sunscreens for use on pets prior to using this as an option. You are best leaving Puppy or Kitty home in cool A.C. if you are planning to be outside for extended periods of time.

10. Make sure you are aware of the signs of heatstroke in pets and IMMEDIATELY seek veterinary assistance if your pet or a pet you come across is exhibiting any of these signs. 

Check out this Petfinder article about Heatstroke in Cats and Dogs:  http://www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-health/banfield-heatstroke-dog-cat/

How do you keep your pets cool?