Unleashed

Cheryl Kaye chats with Michelle Fern, host of Cattitude & Best Bets for Pets on Pet Life Radio about keeping your pets safe and cool this summer!  From traveling with your pets to just going outside during the hottest months of the year, you won’t want to miss helpful hints for your pets.

Listen to Episode #72 Now:

BIO:

Michelle Fern has been behind the scenes at pet life radio since its inception in 2007. She was the marketing guru assisting Mark Winter with developing the PLR brand. In 2010, Michelle created Best Bets for Pets which is Pet Life Radio's only product show. In 2017 she took over Cattitude which has since become one of the most popular Cat podcasts.

Michelle's first memory with pets was her German Shepherd that was adopted when she was just five years old. Since then she has been the pet parent to three dogs and five cats. She has experience in TNR work with cats as well as volunteer work with dog and cat adoption. Her motto is: Adopt, Don't Shop.

As the show host for both Best Bets for Pets and Cattitude, Michelle has recorded over 400 shows!! Michelle has interviewed a vast variety of guests including Cesar Milan, Miranda Lambert, Yeardley Smith, Lisa Miele and many, many other experts in the pet industry.

When not recording shows or working on the PLR brand, Michelle spends time with her 3 cats and dog.

Transcript:

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Announcer: This is Pet Life Radio.

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Announcer: Let's talk pets.

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Cheryl Kaye: Hi, everybody, Cheryl from Unleashed.

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Cheryl Kaye: And today, I'm happy to have Michelle Fern on from Best Bets with Pets and Cattitude.

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Cheryl Kaye: And today, we're gonna talk everything about summer.

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Cheryl Kaye: So welcome.

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Michelle Fern: Thank you so much, Cheryl.

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Michelle Fern: I'm so happy to be here.

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Michelle Fern: So, Cheryl, I've done a lot of shows when we talk about summer, because it's something that I'm so passionate about.

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Michelle Fern: I mean, I'm in a very hot place, but there's heat conditions all over.

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Michelle Fern: And every year, you hear some horrible story about people forgetting their pet, they left their pet in the car or something.

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Michelle Fern: And it's just, yeah, it's just crazy.

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Cheryl Kaye: 150 degrees, they went to the beach.

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Michelle Fern: There's certain things you really need to be aware of for dogs and for cats, especially for cats, because cats don't pant like dogs do.

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Michelle Fern: But tell me about what happened to your friend.

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Cheryl Kaye: No, I read today, my friend, we walk our dogs early.

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Cheryl Kaye: We don't do, of course, with Tilly.

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Cheryl Kaye: I do have to sometimes go out in the height.

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Cheryl Kaye: I teach her about, you know, shade, in and out.

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Cheryl Kaye: But I'm out of the house by seven to walk her.

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Cheryl Kaye: And after seven, it's much cooler.

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Michelle Fern: After seven at night.

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Cheryl Kaye: Yeah, definitely.

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Cheryl Kaye: And I do late also.

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Cheryl Kaye: And it's been hot.

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Cheryl Kaye: We're not going to the park.

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Cheryl Kaye: But you have to really be careful because the road puts out heat.

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Cheryl Kaye: And depending on what kind of dog you have, the weight, the coloring, you really have to be careful.

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Cheryl Kaye: And a dog could get heat stroke and it comes on them very quick, even after the fact.

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Cheryl Kaye: So you have to be very careful.

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Cheryl Kaye: And we'll get into that.

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Cheryl Kaye: And I have some very good information about that.

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Cheryl Kaye: And I'm interested, you know, I no longer have cats, but you're right, they don't feel it the same way.

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Michelle Fern: You mentioned a couple of good points as far as the road putting out heat.

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Michelle Fern: And most people know this.

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Michelle Fern: If not, they should know this.

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Michelle Fern: But if the asphalt or the ground is too hot for your feet, it's too hot for your hands.

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Cheryl Kaye: For your hands, you know, you're going to put your hands on it.

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Cheryl Kaye: Cilly doesn't have a problem.

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Cheryl Kaye: We basically walk on the grass, but we have to get to the grass.

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Michelle Fern: I read a stat that if it's 86 degrees, then asphalt is likely to be 135 degrees.

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Michelle Fern: And that is hot enough to cook an egg.

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Cheryl Kaye: Now, 86 degrees, you do not walk your dog.

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Michelle Fern: No.

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Cheryl Kaye: 84, 80, you don't walk your dog.

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Cheryl Kaye: And in some areas, 77 could be too much.

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Cheryl Kaye: But we'll get into that because you have to be very careful.

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Cheryl Kaye: Like when I used to take Cilly to the park, we're not now because it's so drastically, brutally hot out.

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Cheryl Kaye: You know, she comes in, lays down on the porcelain.

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Cheryl Kaye: I take a cool cloth and I dab her head and her extremities to cool her off.

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Cheryl Kaye: But with this kind of weather, they can't exert themselves.

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Cheryl Kaye: No way.

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Michelle Fern: No, they can't.

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Michelle Fern: And you mentioned a couple of good points, but black nose or hugs that are pushed in or cats that have like as more of a smushed in face.

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Michelle Fern: I think Scottish folds have faces like that.

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Michelle Fern: But cats and dogs that have a flatter face, have a shorter respiratory, you know, as far as.

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Cheryl Kaye: And darker in color.

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Michelle Fern: Right, but they have a short snout or a flatter face.

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Michelle Fern: There's issues with respiratory.

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Michelle Fern: So that's something that can affect them faster than a dog with a longer or cat with a longer snout.

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Michelle Fern: Color, cause dogs and cats can get sunburn.

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Cheryl Kaye: I have lotion for Tilly.

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Cheryl Kaye: She has a pink nose.

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Cheryl Kaye: Part of her nose is pink.

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Cheryl Kaye: They sell that to dogs.

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Michelle Fern: And they do have doggies on screen.

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Cheryl Kaye: That's what I have.

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Michelle Fern: And cats, I mean, cats have litter boxes.

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Michelle Fern: So you're not really walking.

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Michelle Fern: Some people walk their cats.

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Michelle Fern: You're not really walking cats as much.

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Michelle Fern: But one of the good things with cats is that you, they're inside.

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Michelle Fern: Generally, if you have a catio, hopefully it's in the shade and it's screened.

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Michelle Fern: Well, it must be screened in if it's a catio and you have a fan there.

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Michelle Fern: But there are certain times of days when my cats and it's screened in, there's a big fan above, but they don't want to be out.

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Michelle Fern: And that I'm fine with that.

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Michelle Fern: Because days that are very humid, if it's hot for you, it's hot for your pets.

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Cheryl Kaye: Well, humidity is really the killer.

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Michelle Fern: But also in very dry places, like in the deserts, Arizona, more desert part of LA, like Palm Springs, you can get heat stroke fast.

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Michelle Fern: It happens to us two-legged people.

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Michelle Fern: It could happen within maybe 20 minutes or so.

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Michelle Fern: But we know the symptoms and we could say, oh, I feel queasy, I feel this, it's time to go in.

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Michelle Fern: Your dog or cat is not going to know that.

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Cheryl Kaye: No.

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Cheryl Kaye: And it could happen afterwards.

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Cheryl Kaye: I mean, they could start throwing up, they get dizzy, lethargic, and their temperature goes up.

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Cheryl Kaye: I'm really thinking of getting Tilly like baby booties for her feet.

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Michelle Fern: That might be a good idea.

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Michelle Fern: I used to always walk Mr.

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Michelle Fern: Zeus on the grass very quickly, and I avoided the times of days and it was really hot.

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Michelle Fern: We'll get into other stuff.

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Michelle Fern: But another thing you should always do if you're traveling with your dog and sometimes you have to travel during the summer months or you're going on a trip, you're taking your fur, babe, always make sure you have water.

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Michelle Fern: It's a good idea to have treats also because if your dog or cat gets loose, you can lure them with the treats.

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Michelle Fern: Before we get into talking more about the heat, there's a great product from Maisie Days.

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Michelle Fern: It's a pup treat pouch.

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Michelle Fern: I showed it to you, Cheryl.

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Michelle Fern: It's very elegant.

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Michelle Fern: It's fun.

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Michelle Fern: There's storage for poop bags, for a bottle of water, not giant size, maybe eight ounce.

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Michelle Fern: And it's another benefit.

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Michelle Fern: You can wear it cross body or like a fanny pack.

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Michelle Fern: And then your hands are free.

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Michelle Fern: So you could hold leashes and hold the poops.

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Michelle Fern: You don't have to worry about that.

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Cheryl Kaye: You know, I just want to say, whenever you take your pet out or away on a trip, whether it's in a car or anywhere, you should be prepared not only with some treats and definitely water, but really you should take their food with you.

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Cheryl Kaye: Only because it happened to a friend of mine, they went to go visit somebody that was a couple of hours away, and they ended up getting back late.

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Cheryl Kaye: And our pets, especially dogs, they like a routine.

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Cheryl Kaye: They don't really care if you're in traffic.

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Cheryl Kaye: They want to eat when they want to eat.

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Michelle Fern: Exactly.

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Cheryl Kaye: So you, if you have a little doggy bag, which who knew that when they came up with that expression that we really need these things, you really need to have everything your dog needs.

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Cheryl Kaye: And if you're going for a long distance, anytime you're here, you should also keep in mind any first aid that you think your pet might need.

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Michelle Fern: That is touching on another subject that I wanted to talk to you about.

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Michelle Fern: You talked about temperatures for asphalt, a dog in a car, and we don't take cats on as many car rides because they are, you know, mostly, most of our cats, especially in the US, are indoors.

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Michelle Fern: So you're not going to take your cat to the cat park.

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Michelle Fern: Maybe if you have a cat cafe, but usually they have their own cats.

00:07:46.944 --> 00:07:54.544
Michelle Fern: But anyhow, keep in mind that a dog can get heat stroke in a car in five minutes.

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Michelle Fern: Don't leave your dog in a parked car.

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Michelle Fern: Don't leave your dog in a parked car with shade under the shade.

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Michelle Fern: It doesn't do much good.

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Michelle Fern: It's also illegal in a lot of states.

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Cheryl Kaye: Yes.

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Cheryl Kaye: And not only dogs, but we're gonna, and also children.

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Cheryl Kaye: And cats.

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Cheryl Kaye: Because, let's face it, there are idiots out there that think nothing of, no, truth.

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Cheryl Kaye: I mean, every day you could read the paper.

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Cheryl Kaye: Today, somebody left their dog in the car, a hundred degrees, while they were at the beach.

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Michelle Fern: That is insane.

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Cheryl Kaye: I think they should go to jail.

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Michelle Fern: You know, it's actually illegal.

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Michelle Fern: And I looked up the stats and my stats are from, we're recording this in June, 2024.

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Michelle Fern: So my stats were from 2023.

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Michelle Fern: So listeners, keep that in mind.

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Michelle Fern: But it's actually illegal to leave a domestic pet, a dog or a cat in your car in 31 states.

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Michelle Fern: And 14 states, including Florida, have certain laws that will allow someone to rescue the pet.

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Cheryl Kaye: Yeah, break the window.

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Michelle Fern: There's rules, you have to call some states, you have to call 911 first and this and that.

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Michelle Fern: And then I'm gonna tell you a true story.

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Michelle Fern: I was returning, this is several years ago, I was returning something to a mall and I noticed there was a car next to me where I parked and the windows were open a little teeny bit and there was a little dog there, like a mini pincher or something, like a little small dog, and it was hot out.

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Michelle Fern: You know, it's South Florida, it's generally hot all the time.

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Michelle Fern: We have cold fronts, we don't have winter.

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Michelle Fern: And this was a warm day, like always.

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Michelle Fern: And there was two other people came around and I said, you know, I plan to just run an errand quick in the store.

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Michelle Fern: I said, let me go in, I'm gonna go in the mall, see if I see a security person.

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Michelle Fern: Because, you know, there's a lot of crazy people out there in the world and if you go to break into someone's car.

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Cheryl Kaye: Oh, I would have called the police.

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Michelle Fern: Right, call the police.

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Michelle Fern: I don't want anybody shoving in.

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Michelle Fern: Who knows what in your face, you know?

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Michelle Fern: So I went in, I didn't see a security guard.

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Michelle Fern: Time I got back, there was like five other people.

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Michelle Fern: There was a cop car around the mall.

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Michelle Fern: He came and he said, what's going on?

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Michelle Fern: And we said, there's a dog inside there.

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Michelle Fern: He was looking for how to break into the car, the cop was.

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Michelle Fern: And at that time, a young person, nothing against young people, because older people can be idiots too, but this young person, the young male person came running in.

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Michelle Fern: And he said, oh, oh, I was just what's going on.

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Michelle Fern: I was just there inside for five minutes.

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Michelle Fern: And I looked at him, I said, no, you weren't.

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Michelle Fern: I said, I've been here for 25 minutes and these other people have been around.

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Michelle Fern: And the cop says, you want to tell me that again?

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Michelle Fern: And I don't know if they find him.

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Michelle Fern: I don't know if they arrested him.

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Cheryl Kaye: They should take the pet.

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Cheryl Kaye: Refining somebody like that.

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Michelle Fern: There's no five minutes.

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Michelle Fern: It doesn't go five minutes.

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Michelle Fern: And there's no reason to take your dog on car rides, unless you are going to the vet or you're traveling with your dog.

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Michelle Fern: There's no reason to go run an errand or do anything with your dog.

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Michelle Fern: So if there's emergency situations, have a friend watch your pet for a little while.

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Michelle Fern: If you have something that's emergency, or leave your pet at home, there's a lot of options out there.

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Michelle Fern: But it's crazy.

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Michelle Fern: It's just crazy.

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Michelle Fern: So just for everyone listening, just be aware because you can break into a car in some states, but you have to, there are certain laws ahead.

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Michelle Fern: You have to call 911 first.

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Michelle Fern: You might have certain ramifications.

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Cheryl Kaye: But if that's the criteria, do you not?

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Michelle Fern: Certain criteria, thanks.

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Cheryl Kaye: If calling the police and breaking the window, as opposed to your dog or your cat could be dead, or your kid, then don't get a dog, don't have kids, because that's not the criteria.

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Cheryl Kaye: The criteria is your pet could die.

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Michelle Fern: Well, I'm talking about people that see a pet in a car.

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Cheryl Kaye: Oh, I would call the police immediately.

00:11:59.104 --> 00:12:01.884
Michelle Fern: Definitely, the first thing, call 911.

00:12:01.984 --> 00:12:06.484
Michelle Fern: Well, that's probably if to call 911, because your animal's gonna die.

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Cheryl Kaye: I think they break either one of the side windows or they go for the back window.

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Cheryl Kaye: I've seen them do it.

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Michelle Fern: Cops have those little sticks that you could put inside for when you get locked out of your car.

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Michelle Fern: Well, car thieves have them too, so.

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Cheryl Kaye: Right.

00:12:21.984 --> 00:12:24.104
Cheryl Kaye: Oh, maybe there's a phone number for a car thief.

00:12:24.284 --> 00:12:25.204
Cheryl Kaye: For a car thief?

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Cheryl Kaye: Yeah, car thief.

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Cheryl Kaye: We need you to open up this car, get this poor little dog out.

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Michelle Fern: I don't know if there's a...

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Cheryl Kaye: Give us the dog, you could have the car.

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Cheryl Kaye: How about that?

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Cheryl Kaye: Well, I'm only kidding, of course.

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Michelle Fern: Well, of course.

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Cheryl Kaye: So we'll be right back.

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Cheryl Kaye: We're gonna take a breather.

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00:13:28.824 --> 00:13:29.644
Announcer: Let's talk pets.

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Announcer: Pet Life Radio.

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Announcer: Pet Life Radio.

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Cheryl Kaye: We're back and we're talking about weather and how it affects our pets.

00:13:48.223 --> 00:13:50.483
Michelle Fern: So let's talk a little more about cats.

00:13:50.783 --> 00:13:59.343
Michelle Fern: People don't always, they think because, you know, an image of cats and it's warm and sunny and cats like heat, yeah, they do.

00:13:59.363 --> 00:14:00.723
Michelle Fern: They like it a little warm.

00:14:00.983 --> 00:14:04.463
Michelle Fern: But cats get overheated just like dogs.

00:14:05.023 --> 00:14:08.843
Michelle Fern: Most of us, especially in the US, have indoor cats.

00:14:09.203 --> 00:14:17.783
Michelle Fern: So you should make sure the temps are not, you know, if you're watching your AC, don't go higher than 80 degrees.

00:14:17.983 --> 00:14:23.683
Michelle Fern: So 78 to 80 is the warmest it should be if you have cats in your home.

00:14:24.023 --> 00:14:30.803
Michelle Fern: Also keep in mind for cats, they don't pant like dogs where you know that, oh, they're hot.

00:14:30.943 --> 00:14:34.223
Michelle Fern: So if your cat's panting, that's not a good sign.

00:14:34.243 --> 00:14:41.063
Michelle Fern: Also, if their tongue is dark red, or if their gums are dark red, or dark red or pale.

00:14:41.303 --> 00:14:43.763
Cheryl Kaye: Yeah, dogs, their gums could be blue and red.

00:14:44.083 --> 00:14:45.203
Michelle Fern: Oh, my goodness.

00:14:45.263 --> 00:14:45.623
Cheryl Kaye: Yeah.

00:14:45.723 --> 00:14:49.403
Michelle Fern: But panting cat is a sign of a cat being overheated.

00:14:49.543 --> 00:14:50.663
Cheryl Kaye: Right, distress.

00:14:51.123 --> 00:14:53.323
Cheryl Kaye: And you know, cats do love the sunshine.

00:14:53.343 --> 00:15:01.103
Cheryl Kaye: I mean, if it was a sunny day, they always find the sunny spot, but the heat is no good for anybody.

00:15:01.403 --> 00:15:03.583
Michelle Fern: Oh, one more thing before we go into this.

00:15:03.763 --> 00:15:12.323
Michelle Fern: Another thing to be aware of is during the summer, a lot of community cats like to hide out underneath cars.

00:15:12.783 --> 00:15:13.683
Cheryl Kaye: And in the winter.

00:15:13.703 --> 00:15:18.443
Michelle Fern: And in the winter, but in the winter, they can hide up inside of cars to stay warm.

00:15:18.463 --> 00:15:18.743
Cheryl Kaye: Right.

00:15:18.763 --> 00:15:22.003
Michelle Fern: But in the summer, a lot of times they're under the cars.

00:15:22.303 --> 00:15:22.663
Cheryl Kaye: Right.

00:15:22.783 --> 00:15:25.043
Michelle Fern: So because that's where there's shade, right?

00:15:25.123 --> 00:15:25.863
Michelle Fern: Under the car.

00:15:26.143 --> 00:15:28.103
Michelle Fern: And it gives them some protection.

00:15:28.403 --> 00:15:37.623
Michelle Fern: So make sure, and this is kitten season, you know, April through October, in most places, in South Florida, pretty much all year long.

00:15:37.683 --> 00:15:40.903
Michelle Fern: But make sure there is not a cat under your car.

00:15:41.263 --> 00:15:45.483
Michelle Fern: Most of the time, the cat will be gone by the time you shut your door.

00:15:45.763 --> 00:15:46.763
Michelle Fern: But not always.

00:15:46.983 --> 00:15:48.023
Michelle Fern: So take a look.

00:15:48.483 --> 00:15:49.063
Cheryl Kaye: It's hot.

00:15:49.383 --> 00:15:51.423
Cheryl Kaye: And our summers are only going to get hotter.

00:15:51.643 --> 00:15:55.663
Cheryl Kaye: And I think this summer is going to be brutal because it's hot.

00:15:55.983 --> 00:16:00.503
Michelle Fern: I've already seen it started early, because it was already hot in May.

00:16:00.843 --> 00:16:03.063
Michelle Fern: I could gauge by my AC bill.

00:16:03.103 --> 00:16:06.143
Michelle Fern: It was like 50 bucks higher than last year.

00:16:06.163 --> 00:16:08.563
Michelle Fern: And it was about 12 or 14 degrees.

00:16:08.583 --> 00:16:10.343
Cheryl Kaye: We didn't even have the raining season.

00:16:10.403 --> 00:16:13.583
Michelle Fern: We didn't have my grass where the sprinklers don't hit.

00:16:13.603 --> 00:16:14.343
Michelle Fern: Looks like hay.

00:16:14.583 --> 00:16:15.843
Michelle Fern: We had a little bit of rain.

00:16:16.223 --> 00:16:22.183
Michelle Fern: And then in May, the temperature, the average temperature was like 12 degrees warmer than last year.

00:16:22.603 --> 00:16:23.903
Michelle Fern: So it's crazy.

00:16:24.003 --> 00:16:30.503
Michelle Fern: And there's all kinds of in the western part of the US this week, it's in the hundreds and it's crazy.

00:16:30.523 --> 00:16:31.743
Michelle Fern: It's so hot, so fast.

00:16:32.143 --> 00:16:35.943
Michelle Fern: There's another thing I want to talk about that people think that this is okay.

00:16:36.083 --> 00:16:40.103
Michelle Fern: Don't leave your dog or cat in the car with the AC running.

00:16:40.323 --> 00:16:52.623
Michelle Fern: And don't leave kids in the car with the AC running unless they're older kids, like maybe 14 or 15 or older, because especially some people will say, Oh, I left the car running, but my pets in there.

00:16:52.803 --> 00:16:57.483
Michelle Fern: A lot of cars, I mean, some are a little bit, you know, you could put the parking brake on.

00:16:57.503 --> 00:16:59.223
Michelle Fern: They're not just going to start rolling.

00:16:59.443 --> 00:17:07.963
Michelle Fern: But I've seen more than once and heard about this more than once, a cat or dog jumping around and something gets jostled and the car just starts moving.

00:17:08.323 --> 00:17:17.823
Cheryl Kaye: I mean, I could tell you honestly, once I'm coming back from the dog park with Tilly, I ran to get gas, which is two seconds in to give them the money.

00:17:17.923 --> 00:17:19.563
Cheryl Kaye: And then I start to pump.

00:17:19.683 --> 00:17:22.923
Cheryl Kaye: We're talking two seconds because I park right in the front.

00:17:23.123 --> 00:17:31.263
Cheryl Kaye: And when I opened up the door to put my bag back in, she jumped out, you know, I grabbed her, but no, no, no, you have to be responsible.

00:17:31.283 --> 00:17:33.363
Cheryl Kaye: You can't put it on anybody else.

00:17:33.643 --> 00:17:37.463
Cheryl Kaye: Like you're going to entrust a 12 year old not to play around.

00:17:37.703 --> 00:17:40.443
Cheryl Kaye: That's like somebody entrusting a 12 year old.

00:17:40.723 --> 00:17:43.583
Cheryl Kaye: I locked the gun up, but they can find it.

00:17:43.843 --> 00:17:49.863
Michelle Fern: It's also illegal to leave your dog in a running car with AC on.

00:17:50.303 --> 00:17:54.903
Michelle Fern: I mean, I know that in Florida, it's a $500 fine.

00:17:54.923 --> 00:17:57.303
Michelle Fern: So definitely something to keep in mind.

00:17:57.323 --> 00:18:03.163
Michelle Fern: And if you are doing something to where you have to run in, run out, like you had to do with gas.

00:18:03.583 --> 00:18:09.583
Michelle Fern: I once had to travel during the summer months, and I was traveling with my dog across the country.

00:18:09.643 --> 00:18:11.863
Michelle Fern: When I ate, I did drive throughs.

00:18:12.123 --> 00:18:13.223
Michelle Fern: I shared with her.

00:18:13.243 --> 00:18:16.263
Cheryl Kaye: I did that when I came down to Florida with my cats.

00:18:16.663 --> 00:18:20.963
Cheryl Kaye: I had to eat at places where I could pull in and get it right out of the car.

00:18:21.003 --> 00:18:22.123
Cheryl Kaye: I could not go into a bus.

00:18:22.123 --> 00:18:24.703
Michelle Fern: No, you have to do drive throughs or else forget it.

00:18:24.803 --> 00:18:25.883
Cheryl Kaye: And side of the roads.

00:18:26.103 --> 00:18:36.603
Cheryl Kaye: But I want to just say before I forget, seniors, senior dogs, and puppies are much more susceptible to heat than, say, a younger dog.

00:18:36.883 --> 00:18:38.883
Michelle Fern: And kittens and older cats.

00:18:39.463 --> 00:18:40.243
Cheryl Kaye: Right, right.

00:18:40.323 --> 00:18:41.583
Michelle Fern: And that's a great point.

00:18:41.723 --> 00:18:48.463
Michelle Fern: It's just like people, you know, infants and super seniors, they're more susceptible to heat as well.

00:18:49.463 --> 00:18:50.863
Michelle Fern: Well, we have to be aware.

00:18:50.903 --> 00:18:53.783
Cheryl Kaye: I mean, I wear hats, I wear sunglasses.

00:18:54.003 --> 00:19:04.963
Cheryl Kaye: You have to be aware now because the climate, I'm not looking to spout about climate change, but I see a change and I've been living down here now 18 years.

00:19:05.343 --> 00:19:06.163
Cheryl Kaye: It's different.

00:19:06.303 --> 00:19:08.043
Cheryl Kaye: We didn't have our rainy season.

00:19:08.423 --> 00:19:09.243
Cheryl Kaye: It's hot out.

00:19:09.423 --> 00:19:10.563
Michelle Fern: It's really hot.

00:19:10.763 --> 00:19:11.563
Cheryl Kaye: Humid too.

00:19:11.823 --> 00:19:16.663
Michelle Fern: It's hot, it's humid, and you need to be responsible pet parents.

00:19:17.403 --> 00:19:20.903
Michelle Fern: And hopefully, if you guys are parents, you're responsible parents as well.

00:19:21.383 --> 00:19:24.663
Michelle Fern: So I want to finish off with talking about some tips.

00:19:25.243 --> 00:19:28.083
Michelle Fern: Make sure you have water with you on walks.

00:19:28.403 --> 00:19:33.683
Michelle Fern: Don't rely that there might be water, you know, public water available in a dog park or something.

00:19:33.703 --> 00:19:35.143
Michelle Fern: That's not likely to happen.

00:19:35.463 --> 00:19:36.683
Michelle Fern: Make sure you have water.

00:19:36.923 --> 00:19:40.303
Michelle Fern: Avoid walking your dog during the hottest part of the day.

00:19:40.523 --> 00:19:51.803
Michelle Fern: Also, if you have to go to the vet, try to get an early appointment or a later appointment, because usually we know midday, I think it's between like what, two and four?

00:19:51.823 --> 00:19:53.723
Cheryl Kaye: No, two and six, really.

00:19:54.083 --> 00:19:55.463
Cheryl Kaye: Or really even earlier.

00:19:55.523 --> 00:19:58.263
Michelle Fern: Well, the hottest is usually between two and four.

00:19:58.463 --> 00:20:00.603
Michelle Fern: So avoid those times.

00:20:01.043 --> 00:20:05.263
Michelle Fern: Also, this is tick season, so check your dog for ticks.

00:20:05.643 --> 00:20:11.823
Michelle Fern: Even if it's just a walk around the block, because it happens, they jump all over, so it definitely happens.

00:20:11.843 --> 00:20:16.083
Cheryl Kaye: And they bring a lot of disease, not just to the dogs and cats, for people too.

00:20:16.103 --> 00:20:16.963
Michelle Fern: It's terrible.

00:20:17.183 --> 00:20:22.903
Michelle Fern: And I would say limit your car rides for your fur babes to vet-only visits.

00:20:23.323 --> 00:20:27.123
Michelle Fern: If you have to go to the groomer, but there's a lot of mobile groomers these days.

00:20:27.703 --> 00:20:35.823
Michelle Fern: And just a side note, when I lived in Los Angeles, there was certain times of the year I would take my dog just for car rides because she loved it.

00:20:35.983 --> 00:20:41.203
Michelle Fern: But when it was cooler, of course, in Florida, never did that with Mr.

00:20:41.223 --> 00:20:44.483
Michelle Fern: Zeus, never.

00:20:44.583 --> 00:20:49.463
Cheryl Kaye: My ride to the dog park is one and a half miles, and the air conditioner is on.

00:20:49.843 --> 00:20:50.803
Cheryl Kaye: And I go early.

00:20:50.823 --> 00:20:56.243
Michelle Fern: But you go early or late if you go during the summer, or do you just cut out the summer?

00:20:56.523 --> 00:20:57.783
Cheryl Kaye: She needs her exercise.

00:20:57.803 --> 00:20:58.643
Cheryl Kaye: She's a young dog.

00:20:59.103 --> 00:21:06.103
Cheryl Kaye: Now, every day, twice a day, she meets her best friend, Molly, and they roughhouse.

00:21:06.463 --> 00:21:09.003
Cheryl Kaye: And that gives her a little exercise.

00:21:09.523 --> 00:21:10.603
Cheryl Kaye: And then she's good.

00:21:10.943 --> 00:21:14.103
Cheryl Kaye: I walk late at night and early in the morning.

00:21:14.323 --> 00:21:20.003
Cheryl Kaye: And if I can, in the shade, midday, in and out, just, you know, that's it.

00:21:20.183 --> 00:21:22.103
Cheryl Kaye: I'm very aware of it.

00:21:22.463 --> 00:21:24.363
Cheryl Kaye: If I could put a hat on or I would.

00:21:24.703 --> 00:21:25.783
Michelle Fern: Some people do that.

00:21:26.143 --> 00:21:28.983
Michelle Fern: I just want people to be aware.

00:21:29.083 --> 00:21:31.943
Michelle Fern: Be aware that the heat is no joke.

00:21:32.083 --> 00:21:33.383
Cheryl Kaye: No, the heat is a killer.

00:21:33.443 --> 00:21:34.143
Michelle Fern: It's a killer.

00:21:34.303 --> 00:21:35.483
Michelle Fern: Just be aware.

00:21:35.683 --> 00:21:40.063
Cheryl Kaye: People in the desert die because they don't bring enough water.

00:21:40.523 --> 00:21:45.403
Cheryl Kaye: And they thought that their little hike is going to be, you know, X amount of time.

00:21:45.423 --> 00:21:46.363
Cheryl Kaye: And it took longer.

00:21:46.663 --> 00:21:47.983
Cheryl Kaye: Heat is a killer.

00:21:48.183 --> 00:21:50.523
Cheryl Kaye: Yes, it's not a pleasant way to go.

00:21:50.823 --> 00:21:52.583
Michelle Fern: No, I wouldn't want to go that way.

00:21:52.603 --> 00:21:53.243
Michelle Fern: That's for sure.

00:21:53.443 --> 00:21:54.823
Michelle Fern: The whole point of this show.

00:21:54.843 --> 00:22:03.163
Michelle Fern: So for everyone listening, is that between Cheryl and I is to just bring awareness that fact that it's summer, it's hot.

00:22:03.363 --> 00:22:11.063
Michelle Fern: And even if you're in one of the cooler states, Maine or Vermont or, you know, Washington state or...

00:22:11.083 --> 00:22:14.443
Cheryl Kaye: What about people who have a house and they just let their dog out?

00:22:14.523 --> 00:22:15.423
Cheryl Kaye: You know, that too.

00:22:15.803 --> 00:22:17.203
Michelle Fern: Well, that's not good.

00:22:17.303 --> 00:22:18.323
Michelle Fern: I'm not a fan of that.

00:22:18.343 --> 00:22:26.703
Michelle Fern: But as far as the weather goes, even if you live in a place that's not as hot, just be aware of the temps because you can have a day.

00:22:26.963 --> 00:22:31.563
Michelle Fern: Some places I've seen temps go from 90 to 50 and then back to 90 again.

00:22:31.923 --> 00:22:36.823
Michelle Fern: Just be aware when it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your fur, babe.

00:22:37.263 --> 00:22:44.143
Michelle Fern: Because I don't think anybody wants to do something like kill their fur babe by leaving them in the car or her in the car.

00:22:44.463 --> 00:22:46.603
Michelle Fern: So just be aware of it.

00:22:46.963 --> 00:22:53.223
Michelle Fern: I think the biggest thing that people make a mistake of is walking their dog on asphalt or on concrete.

00:22:53.383 --> 00:22:54.403
Michelle Fern: It's too hot.

00:22:54.643 --> 00:22:58.703
Michelle Fern: And that people unknowingly do, they just say, oh my gosh, I didn't even realize.

00:22:59.023 --> 00:23:00.943
Michelle Fern: Try going barefoot.

00:23:01.183 --> 00:23:05.083
Michelle Fern: I know you said the hand test, but most people are just going to take their shoe off and touch it.

00:23:05.283 --> 00:23:08.543
Michelle Fern: And you can sometimes from, you could feel the heat from your shoe.

00:23:09.223 --> 00:23:16.863
Michelle Fern: So if that's a great test, too hot for you, too hot for your dog, take your dog just on the grass, come back inside, you're done.

00:23:16.883 --> 00:23:29.783
Cheryl Kaye: But I just want to tell people, because the symptoms of heat stroke in an animal that come on them either right away, a little while later, and it's quick because they feel the heat different than we do.

00:23:30.023 --> 00:23:35.823
Cheryl Kaye: So they pant, they drool, they could throw up, and they could be disoriented.

00:23:36.283 --> 00:23:46.743
Cheryl Kaye: And the best thing to do is, like I said, when I bring Tilly in from outside or from the park, I have a cool washcloth, I just pat her down with it.

00:23:46.863 --> 00:23:50.543
Cheryl Kaye: Some people soak a towel in cold water.

00:23:50.743 --> 00:23:57.663
Cheryl Kaye: You should only do that if you are going to continue to do that because you have to get them to regulate their own body.

00:23:57.843 --> 00:24:03.203
Michelle Fern: Well, if your dog shows symptoms of heat stroke, get your dog to the vet or emergency hospital.

00:24:03.563 --> 00:24:04.263
Michelle Fern: That's one.

00:24:04.523 --> 00:24:24.183
Michelle Fern: The other thing is people don't realize is even leaving their dog in a hot car or cat in a hot car for just a few minutes, you know, maybe even five minutes can cause, if it's not full on heat stroke, it can cause, and I've read this, so I'm not a vet, I've read this, but it can cause potential brain damage.

00:24:24.443 --> 00:24:25.683
Cheryl Kaye: That's something to think about.

00:24:25.703 --> 00:24:32.523
Michelle Fern: And other symptoms that are not quite heat stroke, but have significant damage to your fur babe.

00:24:32.743 --> 00:24:35.843
Michelle Fern: So keep your fur babes home during summer.

00:24:35.863 --> 00:24:38.323
Michelle Fern: If you take them someplace, make sure...

00:24:38.343 --> 00:24:40.423
Cheryl Kaye: The car is on in the air conditioner.

00:24:40.483 --> 00:24:41.183
Cheryl Kaye: I do that.

00:24:41.203 --> 00:24:43.043
Michelle Fern: Make sure it's nice and cool for them.

00:24:43.263 --> 00:24:44.043
Michelle Fern: Thank you.

00:24:44.383 --> 00:24:46.363
Cheryl Kaye: Yes, and for us too.

00:24:46.363 --> 00:24:49.243
Michelle Fern: So do you have anything else you want to mention?

00:24:49.543 --> 00:24:53.163
Cheryl Kaye: No, you know, I'm thinking of really getting little booties.

00:24:53.523 --> 00:24:55.143
Michelle Fern: Cheryl, this has been so much fun.

00:24:55.163 --> 00:24:57.863
Michelle Fern: Thank you so much for coming on Best Bets for Pets.

00:24:57.963 --> 00:24:59.483
Michelle Fern: I so appreciate it.

00:24:59.623 --> 00:25:00.823
Cheryl Kaye: Thank you for having me.

00:25:01.083 --> 00:25:03.083
Michelle Fern: Hey, everyone, I hope you enjoyed this show.

00:25:03.103 --> 00:25:08.423
Michelle Fern: I know we talked a little bit about dogs, but, you know, we talked about cats too, and a lot of people have both.

00:25:08.763 --> 00:25:13.903
Michelle Fern: Be aware of the symptoms for your cats during these warm, warm summer months.

00:25:14.163 --> 00:25:19.123
Cheryl Kaye: Well, I want to thank you for coming on my show, Michelle Fern, Cattitude.

00:25:19.323 --> 00:25:20.783
Cheryl Kaye: I want to thank my listeners.

00:25:21.003 --> 00:25:22.923
Cheryl Kaye: I want to thank my producer, Mark.

00:25:23.203 --> 00:25:29.163
Cheryl Kaye: I want to thank Tilly McGee for making me a dog owner again and taking me on adventures.

00:25:29.723 --> 00:25:30.763
Cheryl Kaye: We'll see you next time.

00:25:30.783 --> 00:25:33.103
Cheryl Kaye: Remember, Live Life Unleashed.