City Of St. Peters: Rising Heat Presents Potential Dangers For Pets

Press release from the City of St. Peters:

June 16, 2021

With temperatures on the rise, Animal Control experts at the City of St. Peters remind pet owners that the heat can be dangerous to their animals. City of St. Peters ordinance requires all residents to provide adequate shelter and water for pets when they are outdoors, and that no animal should be within an enclosure or vehicle when weather conditions may be harmful to its health.

NEVER leave your pet in a hot car. Temperatures inside a vehicle rise quickly to dangerous levels, even with the windows cracked or open 1 to 2 inches. Your pet could succumb to heatstroke in a matter of minutes. If it’s 90 °F outside, the temperature inside a car can reach 128 °F in 40 minutes (the same amount of time as an average shopping trip).

Recognize the symptoms of overheating in pets, which may include: excessive panting, drooling, weakness, seizures, diarrhea, and vomiting. Some animals are more susceptible to heat exhaustion, including: older/younger pets, overweight pets, sick pets, and pets with flat faces such as pugs and Persian cats.

Here are more tips to help keep your pets safe and comfortable in the heat:

This press release was produced by the City of St. Peters. The views expressed here are the author’s own.