When your pet was a pup, they could play all day in the hot sunshine, never seeming to pant more than normal. However, the older your pet gets, the more they seem affected by extreme weather conditions. They shiver more in the cold and seem to shun blazing temperatures and humidity, seeking out your cool, air-conditioned home. Although you may think your senior pet prefers their soft bed to outdoor exercise, they are less capable of regulating their body temperature, making hot weather miserable and downright dangerous for older pets. Before heading outdoors with your senior furry pet, brush up on these five hot weather safety tips.
1. Groom your senior pet properly for the weather
You may be tempted to completely shave your senior pet for the hot weather, but their fur coat helps regulate their body temperature. A short trim is fine, but avoid shaving your pet completely, especially if they have a thick, double coat. Instead, trim the hair short on the belly to allow for greater heat dissipation when your pet lies on the cool floor. Check your pet regularly, brush them routinely for mats, and remove fur that has not shed fully, because mats and dead fur can trap heat.
2. Avoid heading outside with your pet during the hottest part of the day
Heat and humidity can be difficult for senior pets when they simply step outside to go to the bathroom, much less exercise. Try to plan your pet's outdoor activities for early morning before the temperature and humidity level rises. Be cautious in the evening, as pavement can trap heat and humidity can linger well into the night.
3. Understand how to best keep your senior pet cool in hot temperatures
In addition to avoiding the hottest part of the day, other methods will help keep your furry pal cool, including:
- Choosing water activities for outdoor exercise
- Ensuring your pet remains in well-ventilated and shady areas
- Always offering plenty of fresh, cool water
- Filling a wading pool with water for your pet to splash in and cool off
- Making tasty frozen treats with peanut butter, yogurt, canned food, or tuna
If your pet cannot stay cool in hot weather, limit their time outdoors, and let them play and exercise inside.
4. Recognize heat exhaustion and heatstroke warning signs in senior pets
When outside with your pet, monitor them closely for early signs of heat exhaustion, which can rapidly lead to heatstroke. Heat exhaustion signs include:
- Excessive drooling
- Fatigue
- Unwillingness to get up and walk
- Dehydration
- Failure to urinate or decreased urination
- Dizziness
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Muscle tremors
If you think your pet is experiencing heat exhaustion, quickly move them to a cool, shady spot outdoors and supply fresh water. Better yet, move them into an air-conditioned building or in front of a fan. If your pet does not quickly return to normal their normal behavior and activity, please call your veterinarian.
5. Exercise special caution outdoors if your senior pet has a chronic condition
Pets are prone to medical problems as they age, and some chronic conditions can make regulating their body temperature and cooling off adequately difficult in hot weather. Endocrine disorders, such as diabetes and Cushing's disease, make staying at a proper temperature especially challenging. Consult a veterinarian if your pet is struggling to stay comfortable during the warmer months. Older pets, especially those with chronic conditions, are less able to correctly regulate their body temperature. For more personalized advice, call our office at (802) 871-2329 to schedule a telemedicine consult.
