This heatwave we're having got me thinking about my dog's health and comfort when I'm at work. Obviously, the air conditioning is running today (high of 100 degrees!), but so as not to run up my energy bills (or carbon footprint), I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation for the hottest it can be where my dog will be okay without the a/c on. She's a short-haired pitbull/lab mix. I have great cross-ventilation in my apartment, and overhead fans. Just don't want to keep the a/c on all day if I don't have to. Thanks!
Re:HEAT/Temperature Question There's no magic temp; it depends on the dog and the actual apartment conditions.
I'm picky re: carbon footprint and costs, and my dog is just 10 lbs. But I wouldn't leave him in a 90-degrees-plus apt. without some a/c, since
- Fans just move hot air around. It feels cooler to us, since fans dry persp on human skin ... but dogs don't have human skin, and don't perspire as we do.
- Fans don't reduce humidity, which can make it harder to breathe.
- For real cross-ventilation/fan benefit, you have to leave a window open to catch cooler air and breezes. Dogwise, there's no point to this if it's a breezeless 90-100 degrees out. It's also not great to leave windows open when you're away - for security reasons, and in case a storm or other negative outside event pops up.
- For people w/o ceiling fans: A dog might accidentally tip or pull over a pedestal or tabletop fan, unless cords are concealed and placement is bulletproof.
- If it's very warm (not even "deadly") for too long, a dog can get too lethargic and
weetabix (NY) 6/11/2008 9:53:22 AM
Re:Re:HEAT/Temperature Question (continued)- If it's very warm (not even "deadly") for too long, a dog can get too lethargic and zoned-out to drink enough water. Dehydration is bad in itself and can trigger other med problems.
So, in general, we just have to bite the a/c-bill bullet with NYC dogs + summer: Close shades/blinds to block heat from sunlight. Set a/c temp so that _you_ find it tolerable, via the "economy" or "energy-saving" setting (which alternates a/c with fan).
To reduce the impact of big summer electr. bills: Ask Con Ed to apply "level billing." You'll pay the same set amount every month of the year, based on preceding year's total electr. consumption.
Jay21 (NY) 6/13/2008 2:58:18 PM
Re:Re:Re:HEAT/Temperature Question Living in AZ I can tell you that keeping your dog cool is important. If your dog has a cool spot to lay, etc. this will help. alot of heat is radiated through the pads causing the dog to overheat, etc.
In extreme heat like we have out here (115+) i dont bring the dogs out too much, but of i have to i make sure i carry rubbing alcohol - this cools the skin quickly.
Ratterrierlover (NY) 6/15/2008 2:04:38 PM
Re:Re:Re:Re:HEAT/Temperature Question this is what I do, after a night of a/c, when I leave I have on a ceiling fan, close window curtains and keep the window closed, so the a/c air doesn't escape.. the cool air remains in the apt. for a long time (I'm usually gone for 3/4 hours and the apt. is still cool when I return. However, I'd recommend you try this out first with both you and your dog out of the apt. to see how the temp is when you return. the ceiling fan makes all the difference in circulating the air and keeping it from becoming stagnant.
maximusmomma (NY) 6/21/2008 1:43:22 PM
Re:HEAT/Temperature Question I have an AC with an Energy Saver and Timer function which have really made things easier and less expensive. Because my dog is part pug, he really doesn't do well in the heat and I leave it at about 74 degrees for the first half of the day while I'm gone. The apartment is still cool when I return, so it seems to be working just fine.
