West Seattle Weather Watch: Protecting your pets from heat

| Pets | Safety | West Seattle news

You may have heard some of this before but it’s vital to hear again when we’re in a situation like today/tomorrow with near-record heat expected (here’s the latest forecast) – the Seattle Animal Shelter has sent out words of warning – not only is it the right thing to do, but it’s a crime if you DON’T protect your pet – read on (P.S. that’s WSB mascot Miles sunbathing at left):

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for
today and tomorrow, forecasting high temperatures reaching 90 degrees.
To protect your pets from the heat, the Seattle Animal Shelter reminds
pet owners to exercise good judgment and use common sense during the hot
weather.

“Whenever we have a hot spell, the animal shelter receives hundreds
of calls about pets locked in cars,” says Seattle Animal Shelter
Director Don Jordan. “Many pet owners are unaware that cars left in
direct sunlight turn into lethal ovens, reaching fatal temperatures of
130 degrees or more within just a few minutes. Even dogs left locked in
cars in the shade with the windows cracked on hot days are at risk of
brain damage or death.”

If you must travel with your pet, Jordan advises carrying water for
your pet, and avoiding trips where you have to leave the pet in the car.
“It’s not worth the risk,” he says.

Jordan offers the following tips for protecting pets during hot
weather:
● Never leave your animal chained or penned up directly in
sunlight. Provide a shady area where the animal can retreat to such as a
dog house, porch or shady tree, and always provide cool water.
● If you must leave animals indoors, open the windows, keep a fan
running, provide plenty of water, and if possible, leave them in a cool
location.
● Never leave dogs or cats unattended in a closed, locked car.
Animals do not perspire like humans; they cool themselves through their
lungs by panting. Hot air can lead to brain damage or death. Also, be
aware that vinyl seats in vehicles get hot under animals’ feet and
prevents them from perspiring through their paws. Remember, with the
movement of the sun, a vehicle originally parked in the shade may soon
be in direct sunlight.
● Avoid overexerting your animal in hot weather. Exercise is fine
when taken in moderation, but obesity, old age, underlying disease and
previous bouts of heat stroke can predispose an animal to the
condition.

Feathered friends:
● Take caution and place the bird’s cage away from direct sunlight
during the intense heat of the afternoon.
● Provide water and fruits and vegetables with high moisture
content.

Pet owners can be held criminally liable for committing cruelty to
animals if a pet dies, or is found suffering from heat prostration. If
you see an animal that may be in need of assistance, or if you have
questions, contact the Seattle Animal Shelter at (206) 386-PETS (7387)

diane June 3, 2009 (10:54 am)

and please protect your children!!!
~
never leave kids in car (but yes, some people do)
~
and when you open windows in your home, please make sure NOT accessible to young children; every year at this time, kids fall out of windows that people open to get relief from heat, and some of these children die; dozens hurt very badly; it breaks my heart every year to hear the reports of more children falling out of 2nd or 3rd story windows during the summer
~
make sure there’s no furniture/cribs at open window that curious little ones may try to explore, or play near and fall out; and when you close windows, be sure to latch; you’d be amazed at how adept little ones are at getting into anything, and this is not a fun way find out; it’s a simple precaution that saves lives

Rhonda Porter June 3, 2009 (10:56 am)

I was very surprised to see a dog sitting in a car yesterday afternoon around 5pm at Metropolitan Market. Even in the shade (which it wasn’t) cars heat up quite a bit.

AmyT June 3, 2009 (11:38 am)

For those of us with aquariums – ensure that your tank is not in direct sunlight and that you monitor the temp. Fish will die if the temp gets too high.

Google “aquarium temperature during hot weather” and you will get a lot of great tips on how to care for your tank if you can’t afford a chiller.

Also if you have an outdoor koi pond, be sure to monitor that as well especially if it gets some direct sunlight. Ensure that there is a shady area for the fish to escape the sun and stay cooler.

miws June 3, 2009 (12:00 pm)

Another hint for your birdie buddies, is to mist them with a clean spray bottle, that has never contained anything but plain water. Buy one especially for this purpose, and use it only for this purpose.

Just be sure that the bird is not in any direct line of a fan or draft, to where it could become chilled. This is also a good practice year-round, for the general health of the bird. Again, avoiding drafts, especially during the colder times of the year.

Signs of overheating in birds, can included panting, holding there wings open a bit, and IIRC, dilated eyes.

If your bird has never been misted, introduce it slowly, (just as you should do with anything else new to him or her), and speak reassuringly while doing so.

Mike

Gina June 3, 2009 (3:05 pm)

I have a daylight basement that is cool. I leave plenty of water out for my cat. Yet she sits in the hottest part of the house, by the closed window, and basks for hours.

datamuse June 3, 2009 (3:19 pm)

My cat does that too, Gina! Shortly after I bought my house we had an 80+ summer day. I came home and found the cat on the bed, UNDER the blankets, in direct sunlight.
.
But it’s good to have a place they can go to keep cool, too. My friend’s cat likes to curl up in the bathroom sink…

TeresaP June 3, 2009 (3:32 pm)

NO DOGS IN CARS PEOPLE…

I actually leave notes on people’s cars whenever I see a poor dog in a hot car.

KateMcA June 3, 2009 (3:40 pm)

Gina, my cat does the exact same thing. The dog, however, goes to lay downstairs on the tile and moves around every so often to find the cooler tiles. They are strange little beasts, and polar opposites in pretty much every way.

WSB- you are awesome for posting this– I see people leave their pets in hot cars way too often. Thanks for spreading the word!

KM June 4, 2009 (10:49 am)

Thanks for reminding everyone WSB! Gina – I have two dogs and one of them is exactly like your cat. On hot summer days she lies out on the grass in the direct sunshine and sometimes rolls onto her back for a little tanning on the belly (in the winter she sleeps on the fireplace – yes, she actually touches the fireplace with her paws). Don’t worry WSBers, its a nat. gas fireplace so no embers could even touch her. My other dog won’t leave the nice cool basement cement floor if the temps get over 65 outside.