Local Emergency Vet Specialist Gives Pet Owners Tips For Severe Heat Alert

The official start of Summer is still more than a week away, but we’re already seeing heat index alerts for the triple digits

For pet owners, it’s important to keep in mind that dogs process the heat differently than humans. They cool down by panting and on summer days with high humidity, that cooling process becomes significantly more difficult. Emergency Veterinary Specialist, Dr. Kaila Rizzo, said just because your dog looks like they are enjoying your summer day walks, doesn’t mean it’s good for them

“I think probably the most important thing to know is your dog won’t know when to stop on his own. So, you may go for a hike or a walk with him and he looks fine, but he’s panting hard and still looks fine, he may not be. So, just be mindful for the heat of the day, and how long you’re going for. Try to keep you walks in the morning, early hours when it’s cooler,” Rizzo said.

Dr. Rizzo said there are often misconceptions around leaving a pet unattended in a hot vehicle if the windows are rolled down. However, she said just because the windows are down doesn’t mean they won’t overheat

“So, even with your windows cracked or down even a good bit, the temperature inside the car gets really hot, and you know that, if you get into your car even with the windows cracked after it’s been sitting in a parking lot in hot weather. You’re uncomfortable, and if you’re uncomfortable, your dog is very uncomfortable. So, it’s really not safe to take that risk, even for a really short time. Dogs can get anxious in that car, they see other dogs walking or people walking by and that combined with the really hot temperature can be a disaster.”

In the state of Tennessee it is legal for citizens to use any means necessary to rescue dogs trapped in hot cars, this includes forced entry.