Weather Tips for Your Pet

REMEMBER PETS DURING VERY HOT WEATHER
Hot weather tips from the Humane Society of Missouri to keep pets safe

Never leave a pet in a hot car!
Download a printable handout with important safety information

With heat indices expected to be 100 degrees this summer, pet owners are advised to take special precautions to keep pets safe. High temperatures can be deadly for pets left without a cool, shady place to rest and plenty of water.

• Never leave a pet unattended in a parked car. The temperature in a car can exceed 100 degrees in minutes. It is inhumane, illegal and can cause severe injury or even death within minutes.
  
  
• Be certain outdoor pets have access to fresh, clean water at all times.
  
  
• Secure plastic water bowls, never metal, to the ground so your pet can't accidentally tip them over. You can dig a small round hole and place the water bowls inside.
  
  
• Ensure that your pet has access to shade at all times of the day. Your dog might be in the shade when you leave for work, but the sunlight moves throughout the day. Don't allow your pet to be stranded in the scorching sun.
  
  
• If you run or jog with your dog, take frequent water breaks for yourself and your dog. Remember that asphalt and concrete get hot quickly. You have rubber soles on your feet--your dog does not. On hot days, leave your dog at home.
  
  
• Do not bicycle or rollerblade with a pet. Heat stroke and possible death can occur very quickly, particularly in hot weather.
  
  
• When the weather is dangerously hot, keep pets inside.
  
  
• If your pet is showing signs of heat exhaustion (excessive panting, vomiting, lethargic behavior), right away begin applying cold water to your pet's extremities. See your veterinarian immediately!
  
  
• During the summer, mosquitoes are prevalent. Make sure your pet is tested by a veterinarian for heartworm disease (a mosquito-transmitted, often fatal disease) and begin heartworm prevention medication.

To report an animal in heat-related jeopardy, please call the Humane Society of Missouri at (314) 647-4400.

The Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force is dedicated to investigating, healing and preventing animal abuse. Please help us fight animal cruelty by donating to the Animal Cruelty Fund.