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Happy 4th of July to my family & friends! Be safe👍🏻🫶🏻

With extreme heat advisories going into effect for much of the state this week, we are urging pet owners to be cautious during excessive temperatures.

Our Angell Emergency & Critical Care teams see cases of heat-related illness every summer, and prevention is always the best medicine. Limit outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, keep pets mostly indoors, provide plenty of fresh water, and make sure they have access to cool, shaded, or air-conditioned spaces. If your home doesn’t have air conditioning, remember that apartments can become dangerously hot, so use fans to keep air circulating whenever possible.

When your dog does need to go outside, keep walks short and stick to grass or dirt whenever possible. Try to restrict walks to early in the morning or in the evening when temperatures are more moderate. Hot pavement can burn paw pads. A good rule of thumb: if it’s too hot for the back of your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.

Never leave a pet in a parked vehicle, even for just a few minutes, even with the windows cracked or the car in the shade. Cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures incredibly quickly.

Some pets, including flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers, are especially vulnerable to heat, but every animal has different heat tolerance. Know what’s normal for your pet, and watch for signs of heat stress such as excessive panting that doesn’t improve with rest, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or collapse. If you’re concerned, contact your veterinarian or seek emergency veterinary care right away.

A reminder for Massachusetts pet owners: State law prohibits leaving a dog tethered outdoors during a weather watch, warning, or advisory, or in conditions that pose a risk to the dog’s health or safety (except for brief periods of 15 minutes or less). Massachusetts law also prohibits leaving an animal inside a vehicle when temperatures could endanger their health or safety. Violations may result in civil citations and, in severe cases, animal cruelty charges.

Stay safe, stay hydrated, and help your pets beat the heat!

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