This summer if you must take your pet on a road trip ensure the air conditioner is on and there is adequate ventilation in the car. Always have water available. If you are getting out of the car, even for a few minutes, always keep your pet with you.
The sad reality is, pets die in hot cars. It only takes a few minutes for a car to rapidly rise in temperature creating an oven like environment. This causes distress and agony for your fur kid left inside, as they are unable to cool themselves down in the hot, poorly ventilated car. As their body temperature rises there is excessive panting, drooling, red gums progressing to vomiting, tremors, seizures and collapse.
Cautionary note: overheating doesn’t only happen in the car, but also when they are outside without adequate shade and when they are exercised in hot weather.
What can you do when your pet is showing signs of heat stress?
- Get your pet out of the hot environment and in the shade
- Cool your pet as soon as possible – cool water over the body, ear flaps, paws and use fans on them
- Offer water to drink if they are interested, however don’t force the issue
- Crank the air con in the car and head straight to the nearest Vet.
If you see a pet suffering in a hot car, please call your state Police on 000. You just may save a life.
Please share and alert everyone you know who has a pooch/kitty/bunny/anything of this very serious risk and help keep everyone safe this summer.
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