It’s summertime in Athens, which means lots of fun outdoor festivals. Pet owners tend to take these opportunities as a cue to get their dogs out of the house, but you may want to think twice about bringing Rover with you. AthFest suggests not bringing your dog because of grass scarcity and the problem of waste disposal. But there’s a more pressing reason you should be concerned about—your pet’s health.
We can quickly become hot at events, but imagine wearing a fur coat and not being able to sweat! Animals can succumb to heat stroke in a matter of minutes if their body temperatures rise above 106 degrees, and humidity exasperates the problem. Have you walked outside lately? Temperatures have been well into the 90’s, which can be dangerous for dogs and present the potential for heat stroke.
“Signs of heat stroke are intense, rapid panting, wide eyes, salivating, staggering and weakness,” says United Animal Nations (now RedRover). If your pet has these symptoms, treat it immediately.
Other things to keep in mind: your pets’ paw pads can burn on the asphalt (try walking around barefoot and see how it feels), some dogs become nervous or get stepped on in crowds, and uncompassionate people may be mean to animals left unattended.
If you find it necessary to bring your pet, take a bowl and plenty of water, keep your pet out of direct sunlight when possible, and find cool indoor spots to cool off periodically. For more information, visit MyDogIsCool.com.
*I wrote this letter to the editor for the Athens-Banner Herald last week before AthFest, but alas it did not get published. I still think it's a very important message, and it's relevant to all outdoor activities in this summer's incredible heat and humidity. So I hope that you will take this message to heart and will share it with your pet-owning friends and family.
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