Dear Cathy,
Though I agree with your response to the lady in Arizona who has the 12-year-old Golden Retriever who won’t drink water when outside, I also think that you should have said that a dog should not be kept all day in the heat, especially in Arizona. That poor dog. Please tell pet owners to keep dogs indoors during extreme heat. (Love the column.)
— Kristen, Schererville, Indiana
Dear Kristen,
Since it’s Fall, and we are heading into winter, I will make this an all-season alert. Please bring your pets indoors during extreme heat or extreme cold outside. During the summer, pets are susceptible to heat stroke if not given the proper shade for both them and their water. During the winter, water and pets can freeze if not provided a safe, dry place to stay warm. The general rule of thumb is, if it’s uncomfortable for you to be outside all day in the heat or cold, then it’s uncomfortable for your pet.
Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal