Teen Detects need for Pet Car Alarm

A 13 year old Canadian boy is working with local businesses and technology agencies to develop a pet car alarm. The alarm will alert pet owners to dangerous heat and humidity levels for cars. Brian Larson is trying to reduce the number of pets that suffer from heat stroke and die in cars that become too hot. Larson first had the idea two years ago when his aunt and uncle lost two Chihuahuas to heat stroke. He said the windows and vents were open, but the heat was too much.

Larson will be conducting research all summer to determine what temperature and humidity levels can reach in the interiors of cars. He will use this information to produce the prototype pet car alarm. The alarm will have two separate parts. The first part will be an electronic temperature gauge installed in the car. The second part will be a device carried on the key ring that receives signals from the electronic temperature gauge. When temperatures reach dangerous levels, the gauge will send a signal to the owner alerting them that the heat levels are increasing and may not be safe for pets. Once the research is complete, they anticipate that the prototype should take two months to build.

Hot cars and pets don’t mix, so until this product is available to the general public, here are a few things you can practice to ensure your pet’s safety this summer.

· Have extra water available

· Never leave a pet in a car unattended, even with the windows down

· If your pet is acting unusual because of the heat, get them to a vet immediately as it might be the first signs of heat stroke

· If your pet becomes overheated, get them to a cool area and wet them down with water or a cool sheet or towel

Cool Tips for Summer Pets

With summer coming, people and pets will be spending more time outside enjoying the sun and heat. With the increased outdoor activity comes some extra care in keeping your pet comfortable and cool. Below is a list of Do’s and Don’ts you can follow to aide in keeping your pet safe.

DO

Provide more water and shade in the summer months. With increased activity comes increased heat. Make sure you provide your pet with plenty of water and shade to keep comfortable and regulate their body temperature. A great treat in the summer can be ice cubes.

Don’t

Leave your pet outside all day. While this can be tempting because of the nice weather, if the pet does not have a place to cool off it can be very dangerous. If you are going to leave your pet outside, provide shade, extra water and DON”T leave them alone. Monitor them often and bring them indoors from time to time.

Don’t

Leave your pet in a car even if for a few moments. In a matter of minutes, the interior heat of the car can skyrocket to over 100 degrees. Even if the windows are down, there will not be sufficient airflow to keep your pet cool. While on the subject of autos, it is also good to note that if you have a pick up, you shouldn’t drive with your pet in the bed. In many states this is illegal. Too many bad things can happen if you leave your pet back there.

Do

Provide exercise, but do it in the morning or late evening. These times of day are cooler and more comfortable for your pet. When exercising your pet, be sure to provide extra water and a way for them to cool off. A good idea is to fill a baby pool or small tub with water. When your pet gets too warm, they can go to the water to cool off.

Do

Be aware of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Symptoms include: heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, unsteadiness, staggering gait, vomiting and a deep read or purple tongue. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is crucial to treat it immediately. Wet your pet with cool (not cold) water in small amounts. It is also good to drape cool, wet towels around the head, neck and body. Provide small amounts of water or ice cubes to lick. Most importantly, seek professional attention from your vet.

For more ways to keep your pet cool in the summer, speak with your vet. They will have the information you need to keep your pet cool and comfortable all summer long.