If you’re like many of us at Prestige Ford in Garland, Texas, your pet is a member of the family. You want to do all you can to help them stay safe and healthy – especially during the hot summertime in Texas. So, we wanted to share a few helpful tips to help beat the heat for your furry friends whether you’re on the road or at home.
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To keep your pet safe from overheating, take these precautions provided by ASPCA experts:
Visit your Vet for pre-heat season check-up: Make sure your pet’s heart-worm test is up to date if they’re not on year-round preventative medication.
Plenty of Water: Dehydration can happen quickly in our furry friends, so make sure they have plenty of shade to rest and water to drink.
Know the Symptoms of Overheating: excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. Symptoms can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.
Watch their Paws on Asphalt: When the temperature is high your pet’s paw pads can burn and being so close to the ground your pet’s body can heat up quickly.
Did you Know? Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
Car Heat & Travel Safety
NEVER leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle: Not only is it illegal in some states, but it can lead to a fatal heat stroke.
Keep your pets safe and secure: Whether you have a custom seat-belt, car-seat or carrier for your dog. It is always a good idea for them to be buckled-up just like you!
Pack a pet traveling kit: Before you hit the open road make sure you have your pet’s essentials of food, water, leash, waste bags, medication. Your pet would also probably love a packed toy or bone.
Food Facts
What is yummy to you can be toxic to your pets. Click here to see which foods are a no-go for your furry friend.
From all of us at Prestige Ford (serving greater Dallas, Rowlett, Plano, Rockwall, Wylie, Mesquite, Richardson), we hope you have a fur’tastic summer. If you’re looking for a pet-friendly ride, our experts here at Prestige Ford are here to help. You can shop online anytime at PrestigeFord.com.