Animal Update: Safety Tips For Hot Summer Days

(KCBS) - Some parts of the Bay Area get very hot – what should we know about safety tips for the heat? KCBS' Jeff Bell talks to Dr. Jack Aldridge, Director of Veterinary Services at The San Francisco SPCA.

The first thing to note is to NEVER, ever leave a pet alone in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are open. Temperatures inside a parked car can reach as high as 120 to 140 degrees in minutes. That's hot enough to cause heatstroke. No matter how often I repeat this warning I still see pets left in cars. Summer is not the time to take your animals along while you run errands. Leave them at home where it's cooler.

Some may think cool, foggy San Francisco is an exception. It's really not. Absorbed heat in a closed vehicle rapidly gets trapped even on cloudy days, and nervous, excited, panting dogs inside a car quickly make things worse. Just say, "NO," to this temptation.

Some other things to remember: Animals must always have access to fresh water. If your pet is outside, make sure he has water and shade all day. And don't forget that sidewalks, roads and other surfaces get very hot and can burn your dog's tender pads. If your pet has a thick coat, a nice, short haircut may help, but not a close shave because dogs and cats can get sunburn, even skin cancer, especially on their nose and ears. Protect them from the sun's rays with an animal-approved sunscreen. Exercise your dog early in the morning or late afternoon when it's cooler. And if you take your dog swimming, be aware that not all dogs are good swimmers, and some have even drowned in backyard swimming pools.

Animal Update airs on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM on Sundays at 1:35 p.m., 3:35 p.m., and 9:21 p.m.

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