6 tips for protecting your pets in Tucson this summer
As excessive heat warnings continue to be issued throughout southern Arizona, here are some tips to keep pets safe during Tucson summers.
Authorities get hundreds of calls every year about pets suffering from heat illness or dying because they were left outdoors, in a vehicle, or in another situation that put them at risk.
These heat-related tips for pet owners were shared by the Pima Animal Care Center:
Keep them hydrated
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Provide clean, cool drinking water in an easily accessible, spill-proof container.
Stay inside
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Just like us, pets prefer the AC. Keep pets indoors on hot days: there’s no better place to avoid the heat.
Never leave them in the car!
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Don’t leave a pet inside a vehicle: even with the windows cracked, the interior temperature can become deadly within just a couple of minutes.
Prevent paw burns
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Walk your pet in the early morning or in the evening when the asphalt has cooled down. Place the back of your hand on the ground for five seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws.
Provide shade
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Ensure your pet has all-day access to a shaded spot with good air flow. For dogs with longer coats, even shaded spots can be too hot in 100-degree weather.
Know the warning signs
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Some signs of heat-related illness include: being lethargic, not eating high-value treats like chicken, excessive panting or difficult breathing, excessive drooling, bright red gums, rapid pulse, muscle tremors, dry nose, nausea, and vomiting.
Pets that are overweight, old or are of a short-nose breed are more prone to overheat.
As featured on
Ursula Schwarz, who rode her bike while wearing a plastic cone, hopes to raise enough money to purchase 100 cones.
The summer heat will be shooting up into the 110s starting Monday.
