As much , it含羞草研究社檚 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 含羞草研究社� 含羞草研究社� heat waves become more common.

含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 really important to remember that if it含羞草研究社檚 hot outside for you, it含羞草研究社檚 even hotter for your pets,含羞草研究社� says Dr. Sandra Faeh, American Veterinary Medical Association president. A dog含羞草研究社檚 breed, weight and chronic health issues also matter. 含羞草研究社淭here含羞草研究社檚 not one specific temperature that we can say, `this is the right temperature to go outside,含羞草研究社� because they含羞草研究社檙e all different.含羞草研究社�

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 aren含羞草研究社檛 accustomed to changing routines or buying items for hot weather. This summer含羞草研究社檚 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.

含羞草研究社淲e often think that their paws are thicker, they含羞草研究社檙e not as susceptible to the heat, but they are. They can blister, they can hurt,含羞草研究社� 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.

含羞草研究社淚f they get cold too quickly, their vessels constrict and then they have a harder time cooling off,含羞草研究社� 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

There含羞草研究社檚 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.

含羞草研究社淵ou don含羞草研究社檛 think of Connecticut as being 100 degrees,含羞草研究社� said Scott, who is based in Stamford. 含羞草研究社淵ou含羞草研究社檝e got to be vigilant and be prepared. Like if it含羞草研究社檚 a week out when they say a heat wave is coming, everybody stocks up on bottled water. But they don含羞草研究社檛 also stock up for their pets.含羞草研究社�

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 family含羞草研究社檚 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.

含羞草研究社淲e try to push 含羞草研究社� to let people know, 含羞草研究社楬ey, you know, think about your dog含羞草研究社檚 eyes now that you含羞草研究社檙e out and it含羞草研究社檚 super bright,含羞草研究社� 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.

含羞草研究社淲hen it含羞草研究社檚 hot, . So do dogs, so do cats,含羞草研究社� 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 含羞草研究社� a nearly 75% jump.

He含羞草研究社檚 currently working on building an indoor doggy pool with ramps and floats.

And ugh, the car含羞草研究社�

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

含羞草研究社淚t is so much better to just leave them at home and know that they含羞草研究社檙e gonna be wagging their tail and giving you kisses when you walk in the door,含羞草研究社� 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, 含羞草研究社渋t always comes down to the human that owns the pet,含羞草研究社� Scott says.