Los Angeles, September 1, 2022 – As temperatures soar in Southern California, LA Animal Services would like to remind pet owners that too much heat can be extremely dangerous or even fatal for our pets. When it’s too hot for you, it’s even hotter for our four-legged friends.

Hot Weather Tips for Dogs and Cats:

• NEVER leave your pet alone inside of a vehicle. If your pet cannot go inside with you at every stop, they are safer at home. A car can overheat even when a window has been slightly opened. Your car can get up to 20+ degrees warmer within minutes. 

• Give your pet extra water. Always make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water to drink. If your pet enjoys ice cubes, add them to their water dish!

• Avoid hot surfaces. When walking your pet outdoors, pay extra attention to the pavement, sidewalk, or sand. Check the temperature with your hand. If it’s too hot for you to touch, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws. If it’s 92 degrees outside, concrete or asphalt can reach up to 130 degrees. 

• Do not leave your pet outdoors for long periods of time. If your pet has to be left outdoors for a while, make sure there is plenty of shade and water. Apply a pet specific or hypoallergenic sunscreen on sensitive areas such as the nose, tips of the ears, and belly. 

• Know the signs of overheating. If your pet begins very rapid breathing, has trouble swallowing, and looks distressed, they could be having a heatstroke. Get your pet out of the heat and apply cold, wet towels to the back of their head, between their legs, and on their belly. Once your pet has cooled down, take them to the vet immediately.



Hot Weather Tips for Rabbits:

• Keep rabbits indoors on days that exceed 80 degrees. Keep rabbits indoors with the air conditioning on. Place frozen bottles of water in their hutch to help keep cool and make sure they have plenty of water accessible. 

• Put a ceramic tile or marble slab in the corner of your rabbit's enclosure. The tile will provide a cool spot for your rabbit to lay on. 

• To treat an overheated rabbit, wipe cool water on their ears and wrap their head in a cool wet towel before taking them to a veterinarian.

For more information about keeping your pets safe, visit: laanimalservices.com/keeping-your-pets-safe.

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LA Animal Services promotes and protects the health, safety, and welfare of animals and the people who love them, and is one of the largest municipal shelter systems in the United States. With six Centers across the City, LA Animal Services serves approximately 60,000 animals annually and responds to 20,000 emergency calls involving animals or people in danger. LA Animal Services is part of the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) international coalition, joining 38 municipal shelters and animal welfare organizations across the country to reimagine and transform the way shelters care for animals and their families, by offering access to resources to help keep families together; getting lost pets home quickly without having to enter the shelter system; providing food and medical assistance; and continuing to build on a strong adoption and foster program so pets find their permanent homes or are placed in foster care. Visit our link.tree for helpful links to the services and resources available to you and your companion animals. Connect with LA Animal Services and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.