Staying cool is a top priority for people during the boiling summer months. For most of us, that means getting our air conditioning systems into top condition and staying out of the sun as much as possible. You aren’t the only one that has to deal with the hot weather during the summer, though. Your pets also have to deal with high temperatures. For the sake of your pet’s health and comfort, you should follow our tips for keeping them cool this summer.
- Stay Away From Ultra-Hot Environments: Dogs and cats don’t sweat the way humans do. Dogs pant to cool themselves, and while cats do sweat through their paws, it’s not quite as effective as the full-body sweating that humans use. Hot cars and other environments where the animal can’t escape the heat can get very dangerous, as it can overwhelm their ability to cool themselves. Make sure that there’s always a bit of shade or another area where your pet can seek haven from the heat.
- Limit Outdoor Time to Early Morning or Evening: Walking out in the heat, especially on very hot surfaces like cement or asphalt, is not good for your pets. They can easily burn their paws on those surfaces in the midday heat. Getting exercise is important for both you and your pet. Make sure that you limit your outdoor time to the cooler times of day during the summer, though.
- Leave Your Pets Inside: You probably prefer staying inside your air conditioned home for most of the day in summer. Your pets do, too! If you can, it’s probably best to keep your pets inside for most of the day during the summer. At the very least, you should make sure there’s a way for them to get inside when they need to escape the heat.
Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing provides a full range of air conditioning services in Gaithersburg, MD.