Year round, protecting your dog from heat exhaustion in the hot South Florida summers is a primary concern for dog owners.
With Hurricane Irma having passed us this weekend, many South Florida residents are still dealing with the aftermath of the storm. For thousands, this still means having to live without electricity in our homes. This is especially frustrating to anyone trying to get back into the day-to-day routine that life typically has, but what about for our dogs?
We spend a lot of money every year on our pets, and their health and well-being is just as important as that of the humans in the household. So what happens when you have a power outage caused by bad weather, that goes on and on for days in what can sometimes be 100-degree heat?
A power outage can be stressful and inconvenient even under the best of circumstances. Your pets depend on you for everything, so it’s important to think ahead before an unexpected situation occurs. Follow these tips to ensure the safety of your pet even when the power’s out.
Here are some ways to keep dogs, cats and other family pets cool and comfortable until the power is restored.
Create Air Circulation
If you don’t have AC, you’ll need to circulate the air in the home. You can do this using ceiling or standing fans. In a power outage, you’ll need a source of emergency power to operate ceiling fans, but if you have cage pets or elderly ones that have restricted mobility, a battery-operated desk fan beside their bed can help to keep them cool.
Dehumidify the Home
Dehumidify your home interior to help reduce the stress to your pets and lower the risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke occurring. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) advocates the use of desiccants such as silica beads or rock salt for absorbing the moisture in the air.
A range of non-electric dehumidifier units are available, which contain crystal products that help to proactively remove moisture from the air. Investing in a few of these not only keeps your pets cool and comfortable during a power outage, but can reduce the energy usually needed to power your household. It will also reduce the number of appliances supported by a home standby generator during an outage.
Use Cool Baths and Towels
Bathing your dog in cool water or wrapping them in wet towels can help to reduce their body temperature. This is particularly effective if the pet is showing signs of heat exhaustion. If you live in an area with a municipal water supply, this can be your fall-back option for pet cooling during a power outage.
Keeping your pets cool during a power outage can be challenging if you aren’t prepared for it.
Keep your pet calm
All dogs require special care during a power outage, as they are sensitive to disruptions in their routines and home turf. Dogs often can sense your anxiety as well. Be sure to comfort your dog and keep her routine as normal as possible.
In South Florida, tropical storms can strike with often frightening consequences. Take steps to ensure that your home is ready to withstand bad weather and any other natural disasters.
