The summer heat can be uncomfortable for people, but even more so for pets. Coping with extreme temperatures can be difficult enough, let alone dealing with the humidity and the need to stay hydrated at all times. As trusted air conditioning service experts, we only want to help keep your pets safe and cool this summer. Here we’ve shared some tips that you can easily follow.
Change your air filter. While a typical air filter needs to be changed at least every 90 days, if you have a pet we recommend replacing the air filters every 60 days. This is so the air can ventilate your home easily and keep indoor temperatures within comfortable levels while maintaining proper indoor air quality. If you have more than one pet, you may have to change your filters more frequently.
Provide sufficient shade and water. When you’re planning to let your pet outside, make sure they’re protected from the heat and sunlight and provide plenty of fresh, cool water. Make use of shade from trees and tarps, since they don’t obstruct airflow. During heat waves, add ice to the water whenever possible.
Don’t rely on your fan and turn up your AC. Using fans to keep cool can be effective for humans but not for pets. For instance, dogs sweat primarily through their feet, so the cooling power of fans is lost on them. For this reason, we recommend keeping your air conditioning on instead to keep your pets comfortable. You can also use a cooling body wrap or mat to help keep them from becoming too hot.
Watch for signs of heatstroke. Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke in pets. Watch out for signs of this, which include heavy panting, glazed eyes, difficulty breathing, a rapid heartbeat, lethargy, excessive thirst, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, vomiting, profuse salivation, a deep red or purple tongue, seizures and unconsciousness. Take note that your pet is at a higher risk for heatstroke if they’re very old, very young, overweight or have a respiratory disease.
If you’re looking for professional air conditioning or heating repair services, look no further than Allison Air Conditioning. Call us today at (951) 736-1101, or reach out to us online to schedule your maintenance service. We serve Corona and surrounding areas in CA.