Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Silvia Senna

HOT DOGS

If you’re uncomfortable in the Kamloops summer heat, so are your pets

Aug 15, 2023 | 4:58 PM

KAMLOOPS — Humans are not the only ones being affected by the heat. Even though pets can’t use words to describe how they are feeling, they do show symptoms to their owners.

“Signs of heat exhaustion, which is the real problem that we get, are panting, bright red gums, unable to get up and just looking anxious. By the time an animal is showing signs of real distress, where they are not able to rise and are depressed, it’s getting pretty late in the game,” explained veterinarian Dr. Paul Hunter.

Dr. Hunter said taking the animal’s body temperature is a good to way to know if they are overheated. However, there are other easy methods to keep the pet cool.

“Taking a towel, folding it, freezing it and then the animal can lie on that to be cool, and certainly air conditioning is great. If it’s uncomfortable for yourself, it’s probably trouble for the animal,” he said.

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One big problem B.C. SPCA faces during the hot days over summer time is pets being left inside a vehicle.

“It can take minutes, like a couple minutes in the heat for a car to rise to a temperature that is potentially very threatening to their [pets] health and it’s just not worth the risk,” explained Daria Evans, Community Animal Centre Manager at B.C. SPCA.

Evans said that even if the car is in the shade with the windows down, it is not cool enough for the animal to stay comfortable.

“Those windows being open isn’t going to be enough and if your windows are open enough to let so significant air flow in, your dog, when they are overheated, are going to pop right out the window and decide they’ve had enough. Then you’re gonna have a dog on the loose in 37 or 39 degrees, which nobody needs,” she said.

Both Evans and Dr. Hunter agree the best way to keep any pet safe is leaving them at home and, if they are gonna be outdoors, make sure they have plenty of water to stay hydrated and are surrounded by shade spots.

If you think you pet is in distress, you are advised to call a vet.