NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — With much of the U.S., including Tennessee, under extreme heat alerts, pet owners are urged to take extra precautions to protect their furry friends from the dangers posed by this weather, such as hot pavement and poor air quality.
A national nonprofit called the Best Friends Animal Society shared the following tips to help keep your pets safe and cool this summer:
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- Beware of hot pavement: The summer sun can cause sidewalks and asphalt to heat up quickly, so if you can’t hold your hand on the pavement for more than seven seconds, it’s too hot for your pets’ paws. In order to avoid this hazard, go on walks during the cooler parts of the day, stick to shaded or grassy areas, and give your animal companions protective booties.
- Indoor enrichment matters: When temperatures spike and experts recommend limiting outside time, that increases the importance of mental stimulation. Some simple methods for keeping pets engaged and burning off energy indoors include food-dispensing toys, puzzle feeders, and snuffle mats.
- Prioritize hydration and shade: Hot weather can cause dogs and cats to become dehydrated quickly, especially during outdoor activities. You can help them hydrate on the go by bringing fresh water and a collapsible bowl. However, you should keep your furry friends inside during the hottest part of the day whenever possible and, if you have to go out, make sure you always have access to shade.
- Protect pets from the sun: Even animals can get sunburned, especially if they have light-colored fur or exposed skin, but pet-safe sunscreen and lightweight UV protective clothing can help prevent that.
- Never leave pets in parked cars: Even if it’s just 70 degrees outside, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise to 89 degrees in just 10 minutes and 104 degrees within 30 minutes. Therefore, you should never leave a dog or a cat unattended in your car, no matter how briefly.
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