Miami-Dade Animal Services reminds pet owners to protect their pets from scorching summer heat

As summer temperatures soar, Miami-Dade County Animal Services reiterates the importance of protecting pets from the sweltering heat. Pet owners are urged to adhere to simple summer safety tips to safeguard their furry companions. During the scorching mid-day heat, pets, especially Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, should be kept indoors as much as possible. When outdoors, it's essential to provide ample shade, clean water, and protection from the elements. Walking and playtime are best scheduled for the cooler early morning or evening hours.

Miami-Dade County Animal Services Summer Pet Safety Tips: 
1.    Keep your pets indoors, if possible, especially during peak mid-day hours. 
Keep pets cool and hydrated.  When outside, provide plenty of water and shade. 
Dehydration in dogs and cats is a concern during the summer months. Make sure your pet always has access to fresh, clean water inside the house or outside and bring a water bottle for your furry companion when going for a walk outside, just like you do for yourself. 
Keep your pet in the shade as often as possible. While dogs and cats like to sunbathe, direct sunlight can overheat them (especially dogs) and lead to heat stroke.
2. Mind your walking hours
If you have a dog, walk, and exercise your pup only in the early morning and late evening. Avoid walking them in the middle of the day. When outside, take breaks in the shade and have water available.
3. Heatstroke - Know the signs
A dog's normal temperature is between 100° and 103°F, while a normal temperature in cats ranges from 100.4º to 102.5ºF. Anything higher than that means your pet is in danger. Dogs and cats don’t sweat like we do. They drink water and pant to bring down their body temperature.
Watch for these possible symptoms of overheating:
•    Heavy panting
•    Dry or bright red gums
•    Thick drool
•    Vomiting
•    Diarrhea
•    Wobbly legs - lethargy
If your pet shows signs of heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place, give them a drink of water, put a damp towel over their body, and get them to the vet immediately. Don’t place your pet in cold water, as this can cause other issues.
4.  Never leave your pet in the car
Most pets love riding in cars. Leaving a pet in a car without adequate ventilation is considered animal cruelty. Every year, hundreds of pets die from heat stroke due to being left in a car. With temperatures reaching the 90s in Miami-Dade, the inside of a car can quickly reach 120 degrees. A dog or cat can still overheat in the shade, or even when the car’s windows have been left open an inch or two.
Never leave your pet in a parked car, even for just a few minutes. If you see a pet alone in a vehicle without adequate ventilation, call 911 immediately.
5. Keep them off the hot concrete and protect your dog's paws 
Ever try walking barefoot on asphalt?  Then you know that asphalt gets scorching hot.
Pets heat and cool from the bottom up. If you’re out in the sun together, try to keep your pet off hot surfaces like cement, asphalt and even sand. Not only can it burn paws, but it can also increase body temperature and lead to overheating. 
When spraying your dog with water, make sure to spray the paws and stomach first to cool them down quicker. If you are using a wet towel, it’s better to rub their paws and stomach than top coat.
If you can't walk your dog during the early and later hours of the day, doggy boots are a good way to protect their paws.
6. Don’t shave your pet
You might think shaving your dog a cat for the summer is the best solution to overheating, but a pet's coat is naturally designed to keep it cool during the summer and warm in the winter. Feel free to trim the fur on your pet, but never shave it. Be sure to leave at least a full inch of hair to protect your pet’s skin from sunburn. And don’t forget about your pet’s regular grooming schedule, no matter what season it is.
7. Apply sunscreen
Believe it or not, pets get sunburns too, especially those with short or light hair coat. And just like with people, it hurts and can even lead to skin cancer. If you are planning to spend a day out in the sun with your furry companion, apply sunscreen every three to four hours to the areas with least fur coverage: bellies, ears, and nose. Use only sunscreens made specifically for pets. Your vet can advise on the products suitable for your pet.

For more information about programs serving Miami-Dade County’s resident pets and pet owners at Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department visit animals.miamidade.gov, call 311, or follow Animal Services on social media @adoptmiamipets. 

About Miami-Dade County Animal Services 
Every year Miami-Dade County Animal Services Department (Animal Services) takes in approximately 30,000 to 36,000 lost, abandoned, injured, ill, or abused dogs and cats. Every day, Animal Services staff works diligently to find life-long homes for these abandoned animals by facilitating onsite adoptions, hosting offsite adoptions at events and locations throughout the community, and working collaboratively with rescue organizations, volunteers, and adoption partners.