August 13, 2024, 6:03 am | Read time: 5 minutes
If it gets too hot indoors, air conditioning or a fan can provide relief. However, many people underestimate the danger that these devices pose to pets such as dogs and cats. Health consultant and PETBOOK author Philine Ebert explains why air conditioning and fans can be harmful to dogs and cats.
On sweltering summer days, air conditioning and fans often provide the only respite in our homes, offices, or cars. Especially for our cats and dogs, who cannot shed their fur, the rapid cooling promises a quick improvement. However, this quick fix can pose risks to our pets. I’ll explain why this is the case and what precautions you should take when using air conditioning or fans around pets like cats and dogs.
Do our pets suffer from the heat at all?
In short, yes! Like us humans, cats, and dogs also suffer from prolonged heat and the advancing climate change. Unlike us, they hardly sweat at all, as they only have a few sweat glands on their paws. They regulate their body temperature in other ways.
How do cats and dogs cool themselves down?
Cats groom themselves more often in hot weather because the evaporated saliva has a cooling effect. They instinctively reduce their movements and retreat to cooler corners or a cool surface. Some cats love to lie in washbasins or shower trays and rest there, or even drink directly from the tap.
Dogs, on the other hand, regulate their body temperature by panting. This evaporates the moisture from the lungs, and the heat is expelled from their body. However, if the inhaled air is too hot, panting does not provide the desired cooling effect. This can result in heat stroke.
Outdoors, dogs like to cool off by rolling around in the shade on grass or gravel. They also cool themselves by digging a cool hole in the ground. At home, on hot days, they prefer to lie on cold stone or tiled floors. This is preferable to their cozy basket.
Beware of cold drafts in the home, office, and car
When temperatures exceed 30 degrees (86 Fahrenheit), the need to cool down and keep living spaces at a good temperature increases. However, it is important to be considerate of pets. Our preference for cool air doesn’t necessarily align with our pets’ comfort. On the contrary, dogs and cats can even become ill from the drafts caused by air conditioning systems. If a pet lies directly in front of an air conditioning unit, the risk of catching a cold is significantly increased.
A constantly cold ambient temperature or drafts weaken the immune system to such an extent that the susceptibility to colds and other infections increases. The sensitive airways of cats and dogs are also primarily affected. If animals are constantly exposed to the airflow from appliances, stiff necks, ear, and eye diseases are often the result.
Older or overweight dogs, in particular, are very sensitive to the cold. If their ears and paws feel cold, the environment is definitely too cool.
Air conditioning in the home or office
With permanently installed air conditioning systems in homes or offices, it is easy to underestimate the constant cold during longer stays. Pets that remain indoors with minimal movement may not realize quickly enough that the environment has become too chilly. If they are exposed to the cold for a long time, this can lead to chills. If a dog’s body temperature falls below 38 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit), there is a risk of hypothermia.
Air conditioning in the car
As a dog’s body has difficulty adapting to rapidly changing temperatures, the air conditioning in the car should be set so that the temperature difference to the outside environment is not too great. Otherwise, dogs run the risk of severe circulatory problems or colds, even on short journeys. If the dog is still damp from a bath, it’s best to avoid turning on the air conditioning to prevent the risk of a cold.
Open car windows
If the car does not have air conditioning, drafts from open windows or the wind can cause nasal, ear, or eye infections. While dogs may enjoy sticking their noses or heads out of the car window for a breeze, the potential for infection is a serious concern.
Risk of injury from fans, tilted or open windows
Mobile air conditioning units or fans should never be left running when dogs or cats are alone or unobserved. Many animals are curious and want to play with anything that moves. The risk of injury is particularly high if pets get their paws or noses caught in a fan or the grilles of an air conditioning unit, which can lead to severe consequences.
Even if tilted or open windows cool the rooms down overnight, it is essential to ensure that the pet’s sleeping area is protected from drafts and that it does not get too cold there over a longer period of time. Open windows also pose a risk of injury due to corners, edges, or window panes that are difficult for animals to see.
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Alternatives to air conditioning or a fan
When your pet is home alone, keeping blinds, shutters, awnings, and curtains closed during the day can help minimize the rooms’ heat buildup. Drinking is the most important thing in the heat. Place drinking bowls with fresh water in various places inside and outside, and taking a water bottle with you for a drink break when you go for a walk so that the dog does not become dehydrated on the way. Moist towels or cooling mats help cats and dogs cool down slowly and safely after being outdoors.