por Peggy Scott
Columnista SDUN

To most people, summer means barbecues, parties, the beach, maybe even vacations. But for far too many pets, it also means a greater chance of a heat-related death. Enjoying the warm weather with your pet can be fun—just remember to help that furry friend keep his or her “cool.”

It’s really hard to deny that expectant little face with the “where are you going without me?” expression, but is a car ride to run errands worth that pet’s life? Every year, the media report stories about pets who are left in the car “for just a few minutes,” only to die of heat stroke—and it doesn’t even have to be a scorcher of a day. According to the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, even if the temperature outside is 80 degrees, it takes mere minutes for the temperature inside a parked car to climb to 120 degrees.

The Animal Protection Institute conducted a heat study in which the interior of a car parked in 90-degree weather, with the windows cracked, reached 108. A 2005 Stanford University study detemined that even on a mild day of 72 degrees, a car’s internal temperature will soar to 116 degrees within 60 minutes.

As the Humane Society of the United States points out, adding to the problem is the fact that dogs (and cats) can’t perspire and can only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their paws. In just a short time, pets left in hot cars can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage—and can even die.

If summer fun involves the dog park or the beach, make sure there is plenty of water available to cool thirsty tongues. Also, older dogs, short-snouted dogs and dogs with heavy or thick coats are more susceptible to heat-related problems.

Early-morning or evening activity is probably best. During those times, the asphalt is likely to be cool, too. Before starting off on a walk during hotter times, check the pavement—if it’s too hot for a human’s bare foot, it could easily burn paw pads. And the idea of pet sunscreen may seem odd to some, but a dog’s nose and ear tips can get sunburned. As the HSUS points out, pets with light-colored noses or light-colored fur are particularly vulnerable to sunburn and even skin cancer.

The San Diego Humane Society and SPCA advises that at home, plenty of shade should be provided for an animal staying outside the house. Bring pets inside during the heat of the day, they advise, and let them rest in a cool part of the house. If you take your dog to the beach or park, make sure you can provide a shaded spot for resting. And if a pet seems overheated, look for these symptoms of heat stress: heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting or a deep red tongue. If you believe your pet is suffering from heat exhaustion, call your veterinarian immediately—it could be the difference between life and death.

Summer should be about fun. And with some precautions it can be—for both the two- and four-legged members of the family.