It’s a Fact: HVAC Isn’t Just for People.

Pets Need Indoor Comfort Too: Hot Weather Tips For Animal Care

When it comes to weather, it’s easy to forget that Fluffy and Fido also need extra special care during the summer and fall here in Southern California. Many animals are extremely sensitive to temperature, rendering a hot spell very dangerous for pets if you’re not paying attention. Along with keeping your family cool and hydrated, spend a little time making sure your four footed friends are comfortable too.

A local animal rights organization has recently compiled a list of helpful hints to care for everything from rabbits to rodents, snakes to Shar Peis during this time. Let’s take a look at some of the more important suggestions:

1. When temps go above 90 degrees, keep animals indoors in theenergy efficient air conditioning. It’s that simple. After all, the ground and especially pavement can burn sensitive feetsies, rendering walking or just plain moving around torture on domesticated animals. Remember, it can be more than 20 degrees hotter in areas covered by concrete or blacktop. Unless you’re comfortable walking across it barefoot, your pet probably isn’t safe either.
2. Never leave an animal inside a hot car. Look, we get it. It’s easy to think that “just for a minute” might be safe if you have to run into the post office or coffee shop on a hot (or even just slightly warm) day. But never forget: the air inside a car heats extremely quickly, even with the windows rolled down. Animals are very sensitive to temperature, and can die of heatstroke within minutes. Just as you would never leave a child in a car, don’t leave a pet.
3. Avoid strenuous exercise with or without a pet in the hot summer or fall sun. Remember, heat is the only thing that can kill a healthy athlete. For pets, the danger is even worse. On a warm or hot day, leave Fido inside when you go for a walk or run. They can’t cool themselves as well as a human can. No matter how much they enjoy going outside, it’s plain just not safe when the temperatures climb.
4. Make sure your pets always have access to plenty of fresh water. It’s easy to forget the water dish, bowl, or bottle in a family’s day-to-day comings and goings. But pets can’t speak for themselves, and if someone forgets to leave something out for them, your beloved animal will suffer. Make sure an adult in your household checks their water daily for safety’s sake.
5. Enjoy your air conditioning.  No matter how bad your day, coming home to a pleasant, cool indoor environment has been shown to improve mood and overall well-being in people as well as animals. Everyone loves being comfortable.

Is your air conditioning on the fritz? Give Air-Tro a call. We’ve been keeping California comfortable since 1969. Get in touch today. (626) 357-3535.