As much , itB次元官网网址檚 not just people who need help with the dog days of summer. Pet owners have to consider how to both shield and cool down furry family members as intense B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� heat waves become more common.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really important to remember that if itB次元官网网址檚 hot outside for you, itB次元官网网址檚 even hotter for your pets,B次元官网网址� says Dr. Sandra Faeh, American Veterinary Medical Association president. A dogB次元官网网址檚 breed, weight and chronic health issues also matter. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 not one specific temperature that we can say, `this is the right temperature to go outside,B次元官网网址� because theyB次元官网网址檙e all different.B次元官网网址�

In the U.S, over 180 million people, or 63% of households, have at least one pet, according to an American Pet Products Association report. is projected to be over $150 billion this year, yet a lot of pooch parents arenB次元官网网址檛 accustomed to changing routines or buying items for hot weather. This summerB次元官网网址檚 heat is making that more normal.

Simple safety steps

Of course, the surest strategy against high temperatures is to take pets out in the morning and evening, Faeh advises. If you must take them out during the day, be quick and stick to shade, grass and dirt. Pavement can be a scorcher on paws.

B次元官网网址淲e often think that their paws are thicker, theyB次元官网网址檙e not as susceptible to the heat, but they are. They can blister, they can hurt,B次元官网网址� Faeh said.

One paw-sitive measure: Faeh says dog booties made with a thick fabric can help with hot surfaces. Dogs just need time to get the hang of walking in them.

Pets can also suffer sunburns, which can manifest as lighter pigment on the nose, or around the face on short-hair breeds. Veterinarians can prescribe special sunscreen.

Providing relief even after brief sun exposure is as important as sun protection. Cooling mats and small fans can help. And besides giving dogs water, you can . But not too cold, Faeh warns.

B次元官网网址淚f they get cold too quickly, their vessels constrict and then they have a harder time cooling off,B次元官网网址� she said.

, Faeh suggests putting pets in a cooler part of the home like a basement or a windowless room. Keep fresh water on hand and any blinds or curtains closed.

Signs to look for if a dog is experiencing include restlessness, excessive panting, drooling and even vomiting. Cats show distress through open-mouth breathing. In any of these scenarios, contact a veterinarian immediately, Faeh advises.

The importance of accessorizing

ThereB次元官网网址檚 a wide array of pet accessories and devices available to help beat the heat, says Pete Scott, American Pet Products Association president. But some markets have been caught off-guard by the higher temperatures.

B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 think of Connecticut as being 100 degrees,B次元官网网址� said Scott, who is based in Stamford. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檝e got to be vigilant and be prepared. Like if itB次元官网网址檚 a week out when they say a heat wave is coming, everybody stocks up on bottled water. But they donB次元官网网址檛 also stock up for their pets.B次元官网网址�

Besides booties, protective gear can mean a sun visor and or goggles, if your pet will wear them.

David Escalante started Kaykos Dog Shades out of his San Francisco Bay Area home in 2016 after putting a makeshift pair of sunglasses on his familyB次元官网网址檚 pit bull. Now, Escalante, his father and brother hand-make every pair in his San Jose garage. They have sold nearly 15,000 in the last three years.

Each pair has a drawstring, nose bridge rest and lenses that he says protect against ultraviolet light rays.

B次元官网网址淲e try to push B次元官网网址� to let people know, B次元官网网址楬ey, you know, think about your dogB次元官网网址檚 eyes now that youB次元官网网址檙e out and itB次元官网网址檚 super bright,B次元官网网址� said Escalante, who sells more during heat waves.

Other helpful tools include cooling collars and elevated dog beds that help with airflow, Scott says. You can also feed Fido chilled goodies like canine-friendly gelato, pup-sicles and ice cream mixes.

B次元官网网址淲hen itB次元官网网址檚 hot, . So do dogs, so do cats,B次元官网网址� Scott said.

Indoor playtime

Another solution is an indoor dog park. Spencer Mak and his wife, Lauren, have operated two Mak Pack Dog Training & Boarding facilities in suburban Phoenix since 2020. The 10,000-square-foot Chandler location includes an indoor dog park with agility exercises, climbing obstacles and a bounce house. They offer a $10 drop-in rate and a $49 monthly membership.

At its busiest, the indoor area has accommodated as many as 100 dogs. In June, when temperatures spiked, Mak saw 520 admissions compared to 300 in May B次元官网网址� a nearly 75% jump.

HeB次元官网网址檚 currently working on building an indoor doggy pool with ramps and floats.

And ugh, the carB次元官网网址�

Summertime also sees cases of people leaving or forgetting pets in hot cars. The temperature inside a vehicle can surpass the outside very quickly.

B次元官网网址淚t is so much better to just leave them at home and know that theyB次元官网网址檙e gonna be wagging their tail and giving you kisses when you walk in the door,B次元官网网址� Faeh says.

Some vehicles come with dashboard alerts if a child or pet is still in the back. There are also backseat car alarms on the market. But ultimately, B次元官网网址渋t always comes down to the human that owns the pet,B次元官网网址� Scott says.