Jill Merjeski suggests taking shorter walks with cool-down breaks when temperatures rise above 85. Photo provided
By Arden Moore
Dealing with hot temperatures comes with living in South Florida. But especially these summer months, we need to truly be our dogs’ best health allies.
As a master certified pet first aid/CPR instructor and founder of Pet First Aid 4U, I am constantly alerting my students about the dangers of pets getting too hot and developing heat stroke. Be aware that heat stroke can occur quickly — in as little as 30 minutes — in any dog exposed to warm or hot temperatures.
When you are out with your dog, watch out for these warning signs:
• Excessive panting
• Red or pale gums
• Drooling
• Rapid heart rate
• Sweaty paws
• Vomiting
I reached out to two pet professionals in Palm Beach County who also do their part in protecting dogs during hot temperatures: Jill Merjeski, CEO of Jill’s Next Door Dog Walking & Pet Services, and Shay Maimoni, professional dog trainer and owner of Woof Dogs.
“Our professional pet sitters are taught the importance of heat stroke symptoms and know to look out for excessive panting, lethargy, drooling and other signs,” says Merjeski, whose company is based in Boca Raton. “When temperatures rise above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, outdoor time and walks may be shortened. Or walks may be divided into two sessions with a cool-down break indoors and fresh water provided. We try to stay in shaded areas and avoid hot pavement to protect sensitive paws.”
Maimoni’s company is based in Loxahatchee, but he serves clients in Palm Beach County and beyond.
“Here in South Florida, we’re no strangers to extreme heat, and our dogs feel it even more than we do,” he says. “Whether we’re training service dogs or household companions, keeping dogs safe from heat exhaustion and heat stroke is always priority one.”
Never leave your pet in a vehicle, as the temperature inside can quickly rise to a deadly level. Rachel O'Hara/The Coastal Star
Be safe out there
He offers these safety tips:
Time your walks and outdoor training sessions. His team members schedule sessions before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. They always test the pavement and other surfaces with the back of their hands. “If it is too hot for us, it’s too hot for their paws,” he says.
Drink up, doggy. Make sure dogs drink water before heading out, and then take a portable water bottle and collapsible bowl with you to provide additional water on walks. “You can add a splash of low-sodium bone broth or tuna water to encourage water intake,” he adds.
Head for the shade. Aim to take your dog for walks in grassy areas and on shaded walking paths.
Unlike us, our dogs do not have skin pores that enable them to regulate their body core temperatures when exposed to hot weather. They try to fend off the heat primarily by panting and by sweating through their paw pads.
“That makes dogs especially vulnerable to heat stroke and other dangerous symptoms, which can be fatal,” warns Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of the American Humane Society.
Dog Days are here
Ganzert reached out to us at The Coastal Star to unleash these additional weather-protecting tips:
• Check for early signs of dehydration. Excessive panting and heavy breathing can indicate a dog is becoming dangerously dehydrated. Check for dehydration by gently pinching and drawing up his skin by his shoulders. If the skin does not plop down quickly, he may be dehydrated and need water immediately.
• Protect breeds at high risk for heat issues. French bulldogs, pugs, English bulldogs, boxers and other brachycephalic breeds sport short, flat snouts and narrow nostrils. These features make it harder for them to control their body temperatures during heat and humidity than dogs with regular-sized muzzles like Labrador retrievers and German shepherds.
• Never leave your dog in a parked vehicle — even for just a few minutes. Temperatures inside a car, even with windows open a bit, quickly soar and can escalate your dog’s body temperature and potentially cause death.
How to lower the heat
If your dog is getting overheated, you need to act quickly. Here are some tips I give my pet first aid students:
• Do immediately bring your dog to a shaded area or inside where there is air conditioning.
• Do dip each paw — one at a time — in cool water to slowly bring down the body core temperature.
• Never give your dog ice cubes or ice cold water to drink because it can cause blood vessels to constrict and interfere with the body’s attempt to cool down. A hot body coming into contact with ice can also result in shock.
• Do use a cool, wet towel to lightly dab on and off under the armpits and on the abdomen. However, do not leave a cool wet towel on a dog’s hot body because that will trap the heat and speed up heat stroke.
• Transport your pet to the nearest veterinary clinic and alert staff members you are en route so they can be ready to treat your pet immediately.
Keep cats cool, too
Finally, let’s not forget about our indoor cats. Many cats seek sunny spots for naps. Locate any window cat perches on windows facing north and south — not east and west — to avoid the most intense sunlight. Provide them with fresh water daily.
“If the home temperature is too hot when we come for a pet-sitting visit to a home, we reserve the right to lower the thermostat to a more comfortable setting for the pets,” Merjeski says. “The comfort and safety of every pet — especially in extreme heat — is our top priority being a South Florida business.”
Arden Moore writes about pets and can be reached at fourleggedlife@gmail.com.
Our experts
Shay Maimoni is the owner and professional dog trainer of Woof Dogs based in Loxahatchee. His website is woofdogs.com.
Jill Merjeski is founder and CEO of Jill’s Next Door Dog Walking & Pet Services, based in Boca Raton. Her website is jillsnext
door.com.
Robin Ganzert is the president and CEO of the American Humane Society. Visit this group’s website at american
humane.org.
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