How to keep your dogs and cats cool when it’s hot in Philadelphia

Philly summers are notoriously hot, especially for areas of the city dubbed “heat islands” where temperatures can reach 20 degrees above other parts of the city, leading to health issues in vulnerable populations.

Among those populations are the pets inside your home. Hot weather can be dangerous for your furry friends in a number of ways, from causing heatstroke to injuring paw pads. Here’s what you should be looking out for and how to prevent your dog or cat from extensive discomfort.

Like humans, pets can get dehydrated when they spend too much time outside during the summer. It's important to keep them supplied with clean, cold water throughout the day, especially after exercising.

"One thing I'd recommend is carrying water and a bowl with you when you take your dog out on a walk," Ken Drobatz, the director of emergency services at Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania, said. "They can get parasites if they drink out of puddles or unclean water at the dog park, which can lead to gastrointestinal sickness."

Putting ice cubes in your dog's water dish can keep it cold for longer as well.

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When dogs overheat outside, you'll see them slow down. They also won't be able to stop panting. Overheating can lead to collapsing, vomiting, or unconsciousness, so you want to make sure that you don't overexercise Fido.

"When dogs overheat, they can get bloody diarrhea and experience seizures," Drobatz said. "If you see signs of overheating in your dog, you should cool them down with water and keep them in cool places."

Drobatz said skipping walks every now and then because it's too hot is not a problem — the consequences can be much worse. He also recommended taking walks at night when temperatures have cooled down a bit.

But if you have a cat, you won't have to worry as much.

"Cats are naturally desert animals," Drobatz said. "On the hottest of days, they will decrease their activity and find a cool area to just lay there. They won't overexercise."

Hot cars are as dangerous for your pets as they are for your kids. Dogs and cats can get sick very quickly as temperatures skyrocket in just minutes — even if the window is cracked a few inches. Also, in Pennsylvania authorities are allowed to break into a vehicle that has a pet left inside it during extreme heat.

"When you feel like it's really hot, it's even hotter for your dog," Drobatz said. "They have a fur coat, and being in a hot car can quickly spiral out of control."

Dogs cool down by sweating through their paw pads and breathing, so brachycephalic dogs, such as bulldogs and pugs, naturally have more trouble lowering their temperatures than other dogs because they can't breathe as well. Humidity can worsen things for them as well.

"If they overheat, they can go into heatstroke and even experience organ failure," Drobatz said. "If you need to cool your dog down faster, you can spray water on their faces."

While some dogs love paddling and splashing in your pool, not all are great swimmers. Never leave your dog alone near a body of water, and make sure to use flotation devices if they're not confident in the water. Rinse your dog off after a swim as well — chlorine and salt can irritate their skin.

Before taking your dog on a walk, touch the pavement to make sure it's cool enough for their feet. Hot pavement and hot sand can cause burns on paw pads, which can get infected. In hot weather, maggots can also develop in those wounds.

“Use common sense,” Drobatz said. “If it’s too hot for you, it’s definitely too hot for your dog.”

When the heat increases, a common reaction is to open windows and sliding patio doors to let fresh air circulate through the home.

However, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, open unscreened windows and doors pose a major risk of pets falling out of them. Use windows and doors that use adjustable screens and make sure they are fastened tightly.