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Pet heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that affects all pets regardless of age, species or breed. The symptoms are most common when the weather is hot and humid, but can also result from strenuous over-exertion or confinement in tight spaces (like a parked car). This means that even though the season’s changing from summer to fall, pets remain at risk. Prevention is definitely the key, but immediate recognition and treatment are critical toward a positive outcome.

Taking Stock

Pet heat stroke happens when the body cannot regulate body temperature. Impacting the entire body, pet heat stroke can damage the nervous system, alter normal cellular and enzymatic functions, injure the tissue, and collapse circulation. Left alone, internal temperatures hovering over 106 degrees can result in fatality.

As mentioned, all animals can suffer from heat stroke, but some pets, like those with short muzzles, the young and senior pets, and those with other health issues are more prone.

We all know that wearing sunscreen protects us from sunburn, skin cancer, sunspots, and more. But because our pets are covered in fur, many of us assume that they do not need sun protection. In fact, they do!

This time of year heralds plenty of outdoor fun, which includes spending time in the backyard, poolside, hiking, and other outdoor spots. The team at Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates is here to answer the question, “Does my dog need sunscreen?” 

Why Does a Dog Need Sunscreen?

Most pets require protection from the sun. Even heavy coated breeds need to be shaded from the UV and hot times of day.

In the middle of the dog days of summer, when the hot, humid temperatures linger, it feels hot no matter where you go. It can even be hard to maintain the cool inside the home, particularly when the humidity rises or when the air conditioning isn’t working properly (or in an outage). Your pet may feel the misery, too, without some preventive measures to keep them from becoming hot.

Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates knows the struggle of the hot, hot summer, so we want to provide some tips on keeping your pet cool indoors. Let’s take a closer look!