- Excessive panting
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive drooling
- Weakness
- Stumbling or incoordination when your pet walks or move
How do I keep my pet cool?
- As our Animal Care Manager, Camala, states in the video, even 80 degrees Fahrenheit can all ready be hot enough to burn your pets paws! If you want to take your pet, particularly dogs, out for a walk or play, consider doing it in the early mornings or late evenings when temperatures tend to be cooler. Otherwise, have your pet stay indoors or under shade as often as possible!
- Monitor your pets' activity level. The more your pet runs and plays, the more their body temperature will continue to ramp up. Don't wait for your pets to tire out! As a responsible pet owner, you will have to stop your pet from playing and running. This is especially important if your pet is playing outdoors where the outside temperature is also contributing to increasing your pet's body heat!
- Keep your house cool! Consider turning on your AC or have fans whirling about to help your pets stay cool when they are indoors. Remember, unlike you, your pet does not have the ability to easily sweat as a cooling mechanism!
- Cats tend to not overheat as much in comparison to dogs since cats, on average, are not as active. However, it's important to supervise your pets' conditions. If you notice excessive panting or other heatstroke symptoms, immediately bring your pet inside and offer small sips of a cool (not cold!) drink! Cool your pet down by covering them with towels soaked in lukewarm water. Have them rest in order to lower their body temperature. Avoid the panic of wanting to pour cold water onto your pet as that drastic shock can cause dangerous blood pressure changes!
If you worry that your pet is experiencing heat stroke, immediately take them to an emergency veterinarian facility! Stay safe and stay cool. Remember, if it's too hot for you, then it's definitely too hot for your pet!
Beat the Heat
This campaign aims to inform and educate pet owners on ways to keep their pets hydrated and safe during the hot seasons. During the summer seasons, the Central Valley witnesses several heat waves and our dry and hot weather can pose dangerous threats to our animals and their owners. Valley Animal Center is here to provide impactful information and services to pet owners in order for owners to become better informed on ways to keep their pets healthy and safe. If you support what we do, you may donate, follow us on our social media, or sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on how you can support us.
Valley Animal Center
Located in Fresno, CA, Valley Animal Center serves the locale regions of the Central Valley. Upon entering our shelter, cats are tested for Feline AIDS and Feline Leukemia. Both dogs and cats are spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, microchipped, and administered any additional medical care as needed. Even those once considered un-adoptable due to their medical conditions or disabilities have been rehabilitated and ultimately adopted into loving families. With the mission of uniting every cat and dog with a loving home, we utilize the resources, donations, and support from our community to fulfilling that mission.