Protecting Your Pet in the Summer Heat

1. Never leave an animal in a parked vehicle. Cars heat up very quickly, and as the temperature rises, your pet runs the risk of suffering from heat exhaustion or a fatal heat stroke. Also, leaving animals in cars is illegal in several states.

2. Keep your pets hydrated. Dogs can become dehydrated very quickly, so make sure they have access to plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s hot outdoors. You can even add ice cubes to their water. Regularly check to make sure their bowl still has water. 

3. Not all dogs are good swimmers, so supervise them around pools. Be sure to rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from their coats. Don’t allow your dog to drink pool water; the chlorine and other chemicals could make your dog sick.

4. If your pet will be outside, ensure there is a shady place where they can escape the sun. Keep their water bowl in a shady area as well. When taking your dog out for a walk, be careful not to over-exercise them. Avoid hot surfaces such as the asphalt because it can burn your dog's paws. Keep walks to a minimum during the hottest times of day or better yet, reserve walks for the cooler hours.

5. Take extra precautions for pets with health issues - overweight or elderly dogs are more susceptible to the effects of high temperatures.

6. Be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion such as panting excessively, weakness, seizures, lethargy or diarrhea. If your pet is suffering from heat exhaustion, their gums and tongue may also appear to be bright red. If your pet is displaying any of these symptoms, take them to the veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.

In addition to posing a danger to pets and people alike, extreme temperatures can also trigger power outages. Installing a generator or back-up power supply will help ensure you have power to cool your home and keep your pets comfortable in the event of a power outage. 

Prepare for the worst and have peace of mind during severe weather and install a Cummins QuietConnect home standby generator.