Temperatures are rising and so is the risk you take every time you leave your pet outside. Dr. Jaimie Ronchetto of Cinema Veterinary Centre here in the Santa Clarita Valley, shares her insight on how to keep your pets cool, safe and healthy this summer. 

The fact is that dogs can get sun burned, and experience heat stroke much faster than humans and worse they can not express their discomfort.

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If you have to leave your pet outside during a hot Santa Clarita day, Dr. Ronchetto suggests three simple and inexpensive steps to ensure your pet is safe while your away. First, always provide ample shade, the sun is shifting throughout the day and what could be cool at 7a.m. may be scorching by noon.

Second, fresh cool water should be readily available for your dog or cat in large quantities. Dehydration can happen faster than most people think in animals, and the inability to sweat combined with lack of water can quickly lead to heat stroke.

Lastly, lay out some large icepacks for your pet to lay on when they need a break from the heat. The icepacks can be used over and over, and most importantly they will dramatically reduce your pet’s body temperature.

It is also important to understand how eager our dogs are to please us. When you take your dog on his or her daily walk try and wait until the sun has set and the sidewalk has cooled.

“Just imagine being out in the middle of the day and walking barefoot on the concrete… it’s really hot,” Dr. Ronchetto said about how our pets can burn their pads causing any walking to be extremely painful. 

Never take your pet on long runs or jogs during peak heat hours, Dr. Jaimie Ronchetto says, “ They (dogs) don’t know when to stop, they can’t tell us when they feel woozy…they will keep going to please us and go…it can be very bad for them”. If you are noticing any odd behavior after your dog has been in the sun all day or out for a walk, you should report it to a veterinarian immediately.

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Dr. Jaimie Ronchetto and the caring reliable staff at Cinema Veterinary Centre know the signs of heat stroke begin with excessive panting, shaking and confusion.  These are serious symptoms and should be treated right away. 

Dr. Ronchetto’s mission is to ensure your pet has the best quality of life, through owner education and knowledgeable treatment. 

For more information about Cinema Veterinary Centre, click here.

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