It has come to my attention, mainly from walking Javi around, that many owners are not prepared for this year's hot hot hot LA fall. It's sad because it's mid October and the weather spiked back up to the 90s, and it affects the pets the most.
The stray kitties have a bowl of water, so I'm not worried about them. I also dumped a bunch of ice cubes in their bowls so there's nothing else I can do for them.
For the dogs, here's what I recommend...
This is the paw balm Javi uses when he walks on the hot concrete. I like this balm a lot because it doesn't irritate his dry skin, and it doesn't give him allergy reactions, unlike FuzzYard. Avocado oil gives my purebred dog rashes all over, and if you have a dog with irritable skin, avoid avocado!
Javi has the silicone ones with a carabiner attached. I love his bowl because I just attach it to my jeans or purse, and I can fill it up anywhere I go. I don't like the soft portable bowls because those take too long to dry, and I'm always worried about mold and residue water may leave behind. Plus they are super hard to wash, compared to the silicone bowls where a little soap and water could rinse it clean.
Also, shade is your dog's best friend. Give them a lot of rest because even a dog who's used to hiking and the heat, can still suffer under this terrible weather. See how fast your dog's panting, because their body language will tell a lot on how they are feeling.
A trick to check for dehydration is by pinching their back, and letting it go. If the scruff doesn't go down very quickly, then your dog's dehydrated. If the scruff slinks right back onto the spine, then they are still feeling okay.
Every dog is different. As their owner, make the best decision through smart observations!
