Prevention and Management for Animals During USA’s Record Heat

Palm Beach, Florida: As the U.S. endures record-breaking heat, pet owners everywhere are stepping up to protect their four-legged family members from the dangers of heat stroke and dehydration. While it is simpler to bring a cat or dog inside to cool off with air conditioning, cooling an animal the size of a small car is so easy feat. 

Alicia Grace, who owns Pink Flamingo Stables in South Florida, knows this challenge all too well. She cares for eight full-size horses and three ponies on her Lake Worth Beach property, located in an area known for its large equestrian community, especially with the National Polo Center in nearby Wellington. However, Grace explains that the hot and humid climate is far from ideal for horses, which generally do better in drier, cooler environments.

“Not only do we have the heat, but we also have all the humidity,” Grace said. “And with that comes the bugs — flies and mosquitoes — which can actually breed in their cuts and cause all sorts of issues.”

To keep her horses safe, Grace ensures they stay hydrated and out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day. Each paddock is designed with shaded areas, and barns are outfitted with large fans to circulate air. “They always have constant access to water,” Grace said. 

“We bathe them daily, and we have cooling blankets that you can actually put on after a ride.” While bringing horses inside a cooled building isn’t practical, modern solutions are emerging. “They actually do now make air conditioning units for horses, but they are quite expensive,” Grace said. “It is definitely a different animal and definitely requires a lot more care.”

South Florida’s rainy season adds another layer of concern. “We get a lot of flooding during our rainy season, and if the horses are out in that and their hooves get saturated, they can get abscesses, which are pus pockets, and get a lot of problems with their feet,” she explained.

Unlike horses, cats, dogs, and other household pets are easier to cool down, but precautions are still necessary. Arielle Weinberger, spokeswoman for Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, reminded pet owners that animals kept outdoors need access to shade and water, just like their larger counterparts.

She also highlighted the dangers of leaving pets unattended inside vehicles. “We want to make sure that no animals are left unattended, and that includes even if the window is cracked, even if the A/C is on,” Weinberger said. “Animals cannot be unattended in a vehicle, it is for their safety.” With temperatures inside a parked car rising 20 degrees in just 10 minutes on a hot day, even a brief absence can be deadly.

Weinberger also urged dog owners to watch the temperature of the pavement during summer outings. Concrete and asphalt can reach searing temperatures as high as 125 degrees Fahrenheit (52 degrees Celsius), posing a serious risk to pets’ paws. When grass or dirt isn’t an option, protective booties or paw wax can help. “If it’s too hot for you to touch with a bare foot or a bare hand, it’s too hot for your pets, as well,” she said.

Even people without pets can play a role in helping animals beat the heat by leaving out water for community cats or local wildlife. Animal control officers will respond to calls about domestic animals showing signs of dehydration or heat stroke, but residents are encouraged to contact local wildlife rescue if they encounter wild animals in distress.

If an animal appears overheated, cooling them down by pouring water on their head, stomach, and feet can provide relief. However, symptoms like diarrhea, lethargy, dizziness, and vomiting require immediate veterinary care. “We want to take them to the vet as soon as possible, because heat stroke can lead to organ failure, and we want to make sure that it doesn’t get to that,” Weinberger said.

In Wellington, 19-year-old Matthew Puodziukaitis is similarly serious about keeping his mini goldendoodle, Hazel, safe during outdoor play. When they visit the Okeeheelee Park dog area, he always brings cold water and a bowl to keep Hazel and other dogs hydrated. “The last thing you want is a dog passing out or something bad happening to them out here,” Puodziukaitis said. “They’re basically like a little kid. You want to make sure they’re okay.”