Stupid question about animals and the heat (Phoenix, Surprise: house, rent)

[dullnboring]

I just have a general dumb question to satisfy my own curiosity that isn't really relevant to much of anything and that isn't particular to Arizona residents but I figured considering the nature of the question that folks in Arizona would have the best knowledge of such a thing. How do pets cope with such extreme desert heat? Namely, I'm thinking of walking dogs in the scorching temperatures when the pavement is so hot that it burns. How are you able to let dogs run and walk safely outdoors? I realize this is probably a dumb question, but it arose today in a conversation I had with someone so I decided to post it on here. Also out of curiosity, is there anything else particular to living in a desert environment that makes pet ownership difficult? I've heard of dogs developing various illnesses (Valley fever?) and of animals let out late at night in more rural areas being killed by coyotes and other wild animals, and was just curious as to what the real situation is.

[aj661]

Not a dumb question at all. People who walk their dogs during the heat of the day on asphalt or concrete should be forced to do it barefoot; it would break them of the habit real fast. As to how do animals cope? Personally, I've never had any heat related problems with pets. Ours have free access to the house and yard via "doggie doors". We currently have four dogs, and all but one will lay in the grass during the summer for up to half an hour. One spends almost as much time in the pool as I do. I would never have a dog here (or anywhere) that wasn't allowed inside, but it is safe to leave them out as long as they have shade and plenty of water.

If you live here any length of time you and your pets will be exposed to valley fever. It comes from a fungus that lives in the soil. Exposure is from inhaling dust. We had one dog that contracted a bad case of Valley Fever. My wife found a vet who knew how to treat it, (the meds were a bit pricey) and the dog pulled through fine. I've lived in the Phoenix Metro area for all but 3 of the last 45 years and with that one exception, no other pet I've owned has gotten sick from exposure. I realize this isn't always the case and I can only speak for myself.

A good, quick, explanation can be found at: phoenix.about.com/cs/health/a/valleyfever01.htm


As for the "dangers in the darkness", it isn't only at night and it isn't only in rural areas! Most people think about coyotes. Small dogs and cats are also at risk from above: owls and hawks for example. I've lost two kittens to hawks over the last 5 years.

Hope this helps.

[MotleyCrew]

Some breeds may suffer more from the heat than others. I know our English Mastiffs can not stay out in the summer for long at all, so they camp inside. Good thing is they sleep about 8 hours a day. English Bulldogs cant take heat either. We lost our old Mastiff to Valley Fever when we first moved here. The vet told us that dogs from out of state may not recover due to weak immune systems against the fungus, where dogs bred here seem to respond to the medication. You might want to consult with a local vet right away. They make booties for dogs now.

[Steve-o]

Watch for coyotes, hawks, rattlesnakes and lions at night, theyre your main threat. As for walking the dogs in the heat, highly unadvisable!!! Make sure you walk them early in the am or at dusk if the temps allow. Shade or not, no animal should be forced to walk when its over 100 degrees, thats just cruel.

[TN Gal in AZ]

I lived down in Surprise when I first moved from TN. My dogs (med size) were in the back yard acting strange and looking up at the roof of the patio. I went out to see what they were looking at. . . and it was a huge owl! (I never saw one up that close and personal!) This was about 10am. It sat up there looking down at the dogs and me and then it flew off down the greenway that separates the subdivision. I was LOLing and told the dogs that the owl was looking for an early lunch! HAHAHAHA But, seriously, one night when walking the dogs, I met a lady who said a couple nights before a coyote was stalking her walking her small dog. And this was also in the middle of the sub division in Surprise.