KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Ed. Note: The following content was provided by Cinema Veterinary Centre, who is a client of KHTS AM-1220.
SCV pet owners can help keep their dogs safe and healthy this summer by following a few tips from Santa Clarita veterinarian Dr. Jaimie Ronchetto, owner of Cinema Veterinary Centre in Valencia.
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First and foremost, simply being aware of the temperature while your canine companion is outside can help prevent your dog from overheating or suffering from heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition.
Jaimie Ronchetto, DVM
“They’re definitely affected by the heat just like we are,” Ronchetto said. “Be very aware of the temperature– not just physically that it’s sunny out… On these really hot days, it’s still very warm until the evening when the sun is setting, and it still can be dangerous for them outside.”
As a general rule, Ronchetto says that if it’s too hot outside for you, it’s probably too hot for your dog too.
Related: Canine Influenza Outbreak Reaches California
Bringing your dog inside the air-conditioned house when the temperature starts to rise in the morning and keeping them inside until it starts to cool off in the evening is the safest way for your pet to spend his summer days, and you should also be wary of the weather when walking or exercising your dog.
When you do take your dog outside, whether it’s just in the backyard, out for a walk or on an errand with you, Ronchetto says to also be aware of the pavement he’s walking on.
“The pavement is going to be very hot, and that can damage their feet if they don’t have somewhere cool to sit,” she said.
Making sure your dog always has access to plenty of fresh, cool water is also especially important this time of year. Just like people, dogs need to drink water more often in warmer weather to keep from getting dehydrated.
If you notice your dog seems to be getting overheated, Ronchetto said dousing them with cool water– concentrating on their paw pads –usually helps.
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.“They sweat through their foot pads in addition to panting, so cooling them off that way helps bring down their core body temperature,” she said.
More ways to keep your pets safe in Santa Clarita’s summer heat– including why you should never leave your dog in a parked car on a warm day –are available in an online resource guide created by the Humane Society of the United States.
23460 Cinema Drive
Valencia, CA 91355
661-253-9300
