Dog Days of Summer: How to Keep Your Pet Healthy Through Dangerous Heat Waves

The following post was written and/or published as a collaboration between Benzinga’s in-house sponsored content team and a financial partner of Benzinga.

Emergency vet visits can be extremely stressful as well as expensive. Having a solid pet insurance policy can be your saving grace in moments like this. You’ll want a provider, like SPOT Pet insurance, that allows you to work with any licensed vet, emergency clinic or specialist -- this way you can get your furry family member the help they need wherever you are. 

Step 2: Take action immediately if your pet is overheating

You’ll want to do these things if you spot signs of overheating in your pet. If they are exhibiting any of the more serious symptoms listed above, you should also call your vet and bring them in for examination. And if your dog has a seizure or is unconscious, call your vet immediately for direction and to prepare them for bringing your pet in.

• Get your pet out of the heat and to a cooler area (shade or inside in air-conditioning, but out of the sun no matter what.)
• Cool your pet by using cool -- but not cold -- water to wet their fur and skin.
• Use fans to both dry and cool your pet
• Have them drink cool water -- again, avoid cold water as rapid cooling can be dangerous, too.

Step 3: Call your vet and/or emergency pet healthcare provider

If you believe your pet is suffering from heatstroke, it’s best to get in touch with your vet no matter what. They can help direct you on the best course of action. This will also help prepare them for your pet’s arrival if they are experiencing more serious symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

And while none of us want to think about having to choose between helping our pet and our financial stability, having pet insurance from SPOT will help cushion the monetary blow that often comes from emergency vet care. Filing claims is easy with SPOT and they pay claims quicker than ever, so you won’t be waiting forever for reimbursement and can focus on taking care of your pet.

How to Keep Your Pet Safe in Extreme Heat

While there is no foolproof way to always keep your pet from suffering the consequences of longer and hotter heatwaves, there are some things you must always avoid to prevent your pet’s suffering.

• Never leave your pet in a car in warm or hot temperatures. Their body temperatures are typically higher than ours and have less tolerance for high heat. Cars heat up quickly -- what may feel tolerable to you could be deadly for your pet. 
• Keep them well-hydrated at all times. No, you can’t force your pet to drink water. But be sure to always keep their bowls full of clean, freshwater. And most importantly, always keep water and bowls in your car and on your person when taking your pets outside of the house, but especially on hot days or for prolonged trips.
• Avoid overexertion. You may feel guilty for not walking your dog on hot days, but you might be saving their life. Limit activity to shorter time periods and aim for the coolest hours of the day for exercise. If you have a high-energy dog who needs a ton of exercise, try setting up a kiddie pool or sprinkler that they can enjoy while they run around.
• Keep a close eye on your pet in heat. Even if nothing seems amiss, monitor your pets. Your dog or cat may love soaking up the warm rays of the sun -- but they may not be able to self-regulate and hit the shade when need be. Even humans have trouble recognizing when we’re crossing the threshold for heat exhaustion and stroke during our sun-worshipping sessions.

Next Steps

If you want to keep your pet healthy in all seasons, your best bet is to invest in pet insurance. This will keep you prepared both mentally and financially for any pet-related emergencies that come your way.

Get a quote from SPOT Pet insurance and get coverage today.

The preceding post was written and/or published as a collaboration between Benzinga’s in-house sponsored content team and a financial partner of Benzinga. Although the piece is not and should not be construed as editorial content, the sponsored content team works to ensure that any and all information contained within is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge and research. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.