By Scott Etkin
How can Upper West Siders keep their pets happy and healthy this summer?
With hotter temperatures and vacation plans, the summertime can introduce issues that pet owners might not normally consider during the rest of the year. To get some guidance, West Side Rag spoke with local pet experts about some common topics to be mindful of during the coming months.
Heatwaves and humid conditions can be dangerous to all dogs, but especially ones with short snouts like bulldogs, pugs, Pekingese, and Shih Tzu. These breeds have “airways [that] limit how much they can use panting to actively cool themselves,” said Dr. Anne Cloudman, a veterinarian at City Veterinary on West 72nd Street, on a call with the Rag.
While all dogs pant when they’re warm, a sign that your dog might be overheating is a spatulate tongue, the term for when a dog hangs out its tongue so that it’s flat and expanded wide. To avoid the hottest part of the day, Cloudman suggested timing exercise for the early morning or late evening
Dogs also cool themselves by drinking water. Cloudman said that on longer walks or at the dog park, it’s ideal to bring a personal bowl, since drinking from communal fountains and bowls can be a source of gastrointestinal infections, such as Giardia.
Of course, dogs sharing toys and licking each other is part of normal life. “It’s like sending your kids to daycare, they’re going to be exposed to things,” said Cloudman. “We don’t need to put our dogs in a bubble and prevent all those interactions. We just have to accept that there’s going to be some small risk in those activities.”
When temperatures rise above 90 degrees, the sidewalk can also become dangerously hot for dogs because concrete and asphalt absorb heat over the course of the day.
Cassidy Ingram, a dog trainer with a facility on West 79th Street, advised checking the pavement by holding your hand to it for 15 seconds. If it’s too hot, then she suggested limiting walks to 15 or 30 minutes.
Some dog owners put booties on their dog’s paws to protect them. But not all dogs are receptive to this at first. If this is still something you want to try, Ingram suggested trying to get your dog comfortable with having their paws touched before putting on the booties.
“If they don’t pull [their paw] away, tell them ‘yes’ and give them a treat,” she said on a call with the Rag. “If they do pull it away, then remove your hand and say okay, and then try again.”
Traveling for vacation, the other hallmark of summer, also raises some topics to consider.
Many cats can be scared to enter their carrier case. To overcome this, Cloudman suggested leaving it out well in advance of your plans to use it. Giving your cat treats and meals in the crate can also help them have better associations with it.
While traveling, some dogs and cats can become nauseated by motion sickness, or overly anxious. Medications are available to help with this and Cloudman advised checking with your vet to see about appropriate prescriptions.
“We don’t want them deeply sedated,” she said. “The idea is to take the edge off a little bit so that they can tolerate the travel without becoming so fearful and stressed.”
On road trips, pets should be secured so they don’t fly forward if there’s a sudden stop or accident. Traveling in the crate or carrier are options, as well as harnesses that clip in like a seatbelt.
A harness is “something that you would probably want to familiarize your dog with before you embark on a long journey,” said Cloudman. Do a quick trip around the block, see how it goes.”
Do you have questions you would like to ask a pet expert? Let us know in the comments or by emailing info@westsiderag.com.
Subscribe to West Side Rag’s FREE email newsletter here. And you can Support the Rag here.
This is awesome as I m taking my dog to the beach this week. I am wondering about training tools when your dog is older and not into treats. Thank you
Very important to take travel precautions. I know of a rabbit from a school science classroom that died in the car when being taken to the Hamptons for the summer by well-meaning parents of one of the students.
Would be interested on guidance around cooling apartments. What temp should I try to keep it at so they don’t overheat? They always have fresh water accessible, but it’s not like they can “shed” a layer like I can if things are getting too steamy.
Most cats are fine up to 80 degrees in your apartment. Our domestic cats evolved in the desert!