Dog Days of Summer not necessarily pet friendly

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-Astronomers have said "The Dog Days of Summer" refer to the hottest days in late July and early August when Sirius known as the dog star appears in the sky before the sun.

Those days can be tough on pets.

Pets could end up at needing veterinary care.

Dr. Addie Crawford, who owns the new Urgent Veterinary Care on De La Vina St. in Santa Barbara, knows how to care for hot pets.

“During the heat of the day, no strenuous activity, especially during midday allow your pets to have access to water and not do any sort of like hiking especially when it is like 80 to 90 degrees," said Dr. Crawford," unfortunately they can have heat stroke."

Crawford treated a dog named Cleo on Wednesday that had been scratching during the heat wave.

The scratching injured Cleo's ear.

Crawford said certain pets have a harder time in the heat.

"Brachycephalic pets are more predisposed to being into heat stroke, so are our smushy-faced animals, so they should avoid the heat of the day.”

Those dogs include Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs, and Shih Tzus."

Some people put shoes or boots on their pets when the asphalt is hot.

Crawford said if it is hot to the touch it is too hot for paws.

Other pet owners cooled off their pets at the beach.

After beach walks some people took advantage of the Santa Barbara County Park's Self Service Dog Wash at Arroyo Burro Beach also known as Hendry's.

Pets owners should also pay attention to the temperatures in their cars.

Crawford said not to leave them in cars.

We will have more on keeping pets cool during the heat wave tonight at eleven.