Heat can be an important part of caring for your pets, especially in a place that’s as humid and warm as Miami. Miami is quite warm for a significant portion of the year, and that can cause problems for pets, especially pets who like going outdoors, like dogs. Especially if this is your first summer in Miami, it’s important that you keep your pets safe. Here are a few ways to keep your pets safe from the Miami heat.
Heat Booties for Pet Feet
A good rule of thumb is that if the sidewalk or asphalt is too hot for you to put your bare feet on for an extended period of time, it’s also too hot for your pet to walk on. If you still need to walk your pet outdoors during the summer months, you can purchase little booties that you can put on your pets, which will create a barrier between your pet’s feet and the hot asphalt. Just like shoes, remember to put these on every time you bring your pet outside.
Lots of Water
Pets lose a lot of water when they’re outdoors during the summer. Dogs, for example, pant when they’re hot, which causes them to lose water through water vapor, and they also sweat through their paw pads. It’s extremely important that you have plenty of water available for your pets when they’re outdoors during the summer. For more effective cooling, you might want to add ice cubes to your pet’s water bowl.
Limited Amounts of Exercise
Try to avoid exercising your pet outdoors a lot during the summer months. If possible, you may want to bring your pet indoors for exercise; there are ways you might be able to create exercising options for your pets in your own home, and many pet daycares will also offer exercise options indoors during the summer months.
Cooling Treats and Air Conditioning
It’s very important that you keep your pets’ cooling needs in mind just like your own. However, while fans and running air in general can be very helpful for keeping humans cool, it’s not as helpful for pets, who don’t sweat and therefore don’t experience fans as being especially “cooling.” AIr conditioned areas and cooling treats, like “pupsicles,” are likely to be much more effective at providing cooling for a pet, so it’s important to keep these available.
Look for Signs of Heat Stroke and Seek Treatment if Necessary
Regardless of how thoughtful you are to ensure that you’re caring for your pet during the hot summer months, heat stroke is always a possibility. Keep an eye out for labored breathing, glassy eyes, dizziness, and vomiting or diarrhea, which can all be warning signs of heat stroke. If you’re worried that your pet may have heat stroke, talk to an online vet in Miami to get help and see whether you need to talk to an emergency veterinarian in your area.
Written in partnership with Tom White.
