When the hot summer heat comes on, it is not just us humans that feel it – animals suffer from the heat every year, too. They cannot simply turn on air conditioning like we can. We at Snyder Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electric know how important pets are to you and your families and we want to help you keep your pets safe in the hot summer months. That is why we are partnering with First Coast No More Homeless Pets (FCNMHP). Together we want to help by providing families with tips on different ways to protect their pets from the heat.
What Is FCNMHP and What Do They Do?
First Coast No More Homeless Pets is a nonprofit organization based in Jacksonville, FL and was founded in 2002. It is their mission to end the killing of dogs and cats in shelters. First Coast No More Homeless Pets provides low cost veterinary clinic services and, of course, pet adoptions.
First Coast No More Homeless Pets has developed many spay/neuter programs throughout the years in an attempt to save the lives of many pets, as well as to control the stray population. It is the goal of Fist Coast No More Homeless Pets to make Duval County no kill. Likewise, Fist Coast No More Homeless Pets is expanding that goal to all of Florida, as well as the rest of the United States.
Our Partnership With FCNMHP
Snyder Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electric is proudly partnering with the First Coast No More Homeless Pets in order to help educate and provide useful tips on the importance of caring for your pets during the hot summer months. Like us, when temperatures rise, pets need to be able to cool down.
What Can You Do To Protect Your Pets From The Heat?
This summer, when you are making sure your A/C is running properly, don’t forget to take steps to ensure your pets are able to keep cool. Here are some things to remember that will help keep your pets safe in the heat of summer.
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Don’t leave your pets in the car: Even if the temperature is 85 degrees, the car can reach 100 degrees within an hour and temperatures can quickly rise to as high as 120 degrees.
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Know the signs of heat strokes: body temperature 104° F or above, excessive panting or difficulty breathing, bloody diarrhea or vomit, collapse, seizures or coma, increased heart rate, salivation
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Don’t take your pets for walks during peak hours: During the hours of 10am to 2pm the sun heat is at it’s highest. This makes the ground extremely hot, and that can burn your pets foot pads.
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Don’t rely on fans: Pets have a different way of cooling themselves. Fans may help humans but they do not act as an aid for cooling down pets.
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Always provide your pets with plenty of water: Try to add ice to your pets water as much as possible to keep it cool and to provide them with more water once the ice melts.
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Make sure your pet has plenty of shade when outside: Tarps and trees are ideal, they do not obstruct air flow. A dog house is not a good idea in the heat as it does not have ample air flow.
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If you bring your pet to the beach, remember the sand is hot: Bring a blanket for your pet to lay on.
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Keep your pet well-groomed: For pets with thick fur, make sure to exercise them in the early morning or late evening. Avoid the temptation of a shave, their fur acts like insulation, plus it keeps their skin from getting sunburned.
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Watch your pets closely when you’re out: When it’s very hot, it is tempting to lick at puddles but often times, puddles on the road may be tainted with toxins like auto coolants. This can be extremely fatal.
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If temperatures and humidity get very high, bring your pets inside: Let them cool down and enjoy the air conditioning with you.
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Older and overweight pets are more likely to overheat in hot weather: Maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise to keep pets from becoming overweight.
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Cool off your pets by playing in water: If your pet loves the water, give them the opportunity to enjoy the ocean at the beach, the pool, or chasing water from the hose.
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For cats, access to cool areas is key: Let them find a spot, which they will do themselves, like the bathroom tile, kitchen or the closet. You may even see them laying in the sink or on top of the freeze.
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Provide a cool bed: A box with cool water bottles covered with a towel or blanket will be comforting to outdoor cats.
