Caution! This is how extreme heat affects our pets.

Heat has reached record levels, while extreme weather events, caused by climate change, affect our pets : Cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents and other small mammals, even reptiles and birds experience and show signs of heatstroke in ways different from ours.

Those who have pets “ Sometimes they judge the temperature by how they feel it themselves , and that's what we shouldn't do,” explains Barbara Hodges, a veterinarian and director of advocacy and outreach for the Humane Society Veterinary Medicine Association, based in Davis, California.

Physiologically, Animals cope with heat differently than humans. : While humans regulate body temperature by sweating through their skin, from head to toe, and the sweat evaporates to cool their bodies, dogs and cats, They only sweat through their paws and nose ; rabbits and birds do not sweat.

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In the case of the dogs , They use panting as their main way of cooling themselves. , as it allows water to evaporate through the lungs, tongue, and moist surfaces of the mouth.

The cats , for its part, They often groom their hair to keep cool, as saliva evaporates from their fur.

It is for this reason that José Arce, veterinarian and president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, warns that Cutting your pets' hair is not the best way to help them stay cool. .

It may seem contradictory, but hair acts as insulation, "like the roofs of houses with layers of insulation," Arce explains. It also protects them from sunburn, something they're just as susceptible to as humans.

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Extreme heat” can overwhelm an animal's thermoregulation "This prevents them from getting rid of their excessive heat and ultimately causing heatstroke, which can be fatal," Arce says. He adds that while all pets are susceptible to heatstroke, some are at greater risk.

For example, Short-headed dogs, such as pugs, bulldogs, French bulldogs, and Boston terriers , have narrow tracheas and may have trouble exhaling air , which means they may have trouble staying cool.

Meanwhile, pets with heart problems and those who are overweight , can be equally vulnerable to extreme heat, the specialist adds.

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Heatstroke can occur anywhere. These conditions are often triggered by leaving dogs in the car for minutes, even in temperatures as high as 21°C, she adds. Never leave your pet in a closed car unattended. “Under no circumstances,” Arce emphasizes. If the outside air temperature is 26.6°C, the temperature in a closed vehicle will reach 37.7°C in about 10 minutes.

When temperatures are extreme, even Regular activities can cause heat stroke .

How to protect your pets from extreme heat?

During heat waves, Arce recommends keep pets indoors and away from windows.

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DOGS

Signs of heat stroke include:

• Lethargy
• Excessive panting
• Rapid breathing
• Tremors
• Drooling
• Excessive restlessness
• Prolonged lack of appetite
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Inability to stand

To avoid heat stroke it is recommended :

• Walk them early in the morning or late in the evening, when the air and road temperatures have cooled.
• Give them plenty of water, and even give them ice packs to lie against.

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In the case of the birds , are They may struggle to separate their wings from their bodies or begin to pant. Although many reptiles They are adapted to heat, when it is extreme it can affect them: their warning signs can be rapid breathing, heavy panting, excessive trembling, and shaking In fact, reptiles can become disoriented and confused by extreme temperatures, even stopping moving or losing consciousness.

According to Hodges, Veterinarians can effectively advise pet owners on how to help their pets with heat stroke. With rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events, educating pets about the risks is more important than ever.

With information from National Geographic.

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