Extreme heat and pets: How to keep your furry friends cool
Global News
"Pets don't have sweat glands in their body the way humans do," Dr. Sarah Machell, Vetster medical director, told Global News ahead of the sweltering heat wave.
Scorching temperatures have prompted Environment Canada to extend heat warnings across the country — and it’s not just humans feeling the heat.
Dogs, cats and other furry friends can easily overheat under the same circumstances that are unhealthy for their owners, according to veterinarians.
“Pets don’t have sweat glands in their body the way humans do,” Dr. Sarah Machell, Vetster medical director, told Global News’ Your Morning late last month.
“The only place that they have sweat glands is actually in the pads on their feet. And so to evaporate fluids, to help keep them cool, the only way they can do that is through those little paw pads or through panting.”
Environment Canada’s broad heat warning — which forecasts maximum temperatures of the low 40s when combined with humidity — includes parts of southern Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta and British Columbia.
Humans and their pets can expect temperatures to cool off on Monday night or Tuesday, but the heat is set to return to parts of Alberta on Wednesday.
Here’s how to tell if your pet is overheating — and what you can do to keep your companion cool.
Pets are very good at hiding their distress, according to Machell — making it important for owners to be stay vigilant during high temperatures.