What Your Pets Really Need In the Heat

The dog days of summer have arrived! Great for heading to the pool - not so great for your furry friends. Animals have emotions and sensitivities just like we do. The only downfall is that they can’t speak for themselves, especially when it comes to heat exhaustion or dehydration.

The best thing we can do to ensure their utmost comfort is to learn a little more about how we can keep them cool. If they were to speak, here's what they would say and why:

"Let's beat the heat!"
One of the smartest things you can do is keep your furry companion indoors during peak hours of the day, when the sun is at its strongest point. Encourage them to “chill” out and relax on the cool tile or wood floor. Instead of heading out in the afternoon, take them for a brisk morning walk or a late evening stroll.

"Can we find some shade?"
If you do have to be outside, make your pet at comfortable as possible by finding a shady area, under a tree or umbrella. And don’t allow them to walk on the hot pavement. Remember: your little ones don’t wear shoes, so the pads of their paws can burn while walking across a hot surface.

"Do leave me at home."
While running errands on a hot summer’s day, leave your pet at home. Although you love the companionship (and we’re sure they do too), animals can suffer from hyperthermia in a hot car when the temperature rapidly rises to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more. It’s called solar heating, and it can seriously affect your pet’s health and ability to stay cool.

"Keep my fur, please."
Many pet owners mistakenly believe that shaving off their pet’s hair will help cool them down during summer. In reality, the layers of your pet’s coat helps to protect them from overheating and sunburn. Trimming hair is perfectly fine, but shaving might lead your furry friend to feel even more hot. Bonus tip for cat owners: brushing your cat more often can help remove loose fur and more importantly, overheating.

"I'm thirsty." 
We can’t stress this enough - water is everything for your pets. In addition to overheating, your loved one can also get dehydrated quickly. That’s why you’ll want to make plenty of fresh, clean water available to them. A sign they could be dehydrated? Panting. It’s the most effective way for animals to cool down and evaporate fluids from the respiratory tract. It’s also an indication that you need to give them access to fresh water right away.

If you find yourself spending more time indoors this summer with your little companion, chances are bigger messes can happen in your home. At Triple S, we understand these situations and want to help. That is why we offer a wide array of cleaning services, from upholstery, to tile, carpet, and more. We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and have three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street
Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue
Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue