Air Conditioning / May 14, 2019

Have Dogs? 4 Reasons They Need the Air Conditioner

If your air conditioner is on the fritz, you know that you will be uncomfortable until the repairs are completed. However, you might not realize the effects a broken air conditioner has on your pets, especially dogs. Dogs use more energy throughout the day for normal muscle movement, which means heat affects them quicker and more seriously.

If your air conditioner has malfunctioned, and your home is not as cool as it should be, take care of those repairs as quickly as possible. A hot home, paired with California temperatures, can wreak havoc on your dogs. Here are just four of the reasons you need to ensure a cool home for your pets.

1. Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses
   If your air conditioner has malfunctioned, and your dogs stay home during the day, they are at risk for heat-related illnesses. Much like being confined to a hot car, being confined inside a hot home increases your dog’s risk for illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.Unfortunately, heat-related illnesses can prove fatal for dogs, especially if they are exposed to excessive heat for extended periods of time. If your dogs must stay at home, use cooling pads and fans to reduce the temperatures inside your home until you can repair your air conditioner.
2. Reduce the Risk of Aggressive Behavior
   If you have ever become angry or frustrated when the temperatures rise, you know what heat can do to your mood. What you might not know is that heat can have the same effect on your dogs. Unfortunately, your dogs cannot tell you in words when they feel angry or aggressive, which means they will have to act out for you to know.If the air conditioner in your home is inoperable for too long, you may find that your dogs become agitated more easily. They may even begin to exhibit aggressive behavior that is unlike them. When you maintain a cool environment for your dogs, you reduce the risk of aggression.
3. Protect Your At-Risk Dogs
   Where dogs and heat are concerned, some are more at risk for problems than others are. Small breed dogs, dogs with thick coats of fur, obese and elderly dogs, and whelping pups, are all at risk for heat sensitivity.Dogs that are predisposed to heat sensitivity have a harder time when the temperatures start to rise. These dogs may become lethargic and have a difficult time with muscle control. The best way to protect your at-risk dogs is to ensure your air conditioner is in good condition.
4. Encourage a Healthy Appetite
   When the temperatures start to rise in your home, you may find that your dogs no longer eat the way that they should. While dogs do tend to have a reduced appetite during hot weather, a complete lack of appetite can lead to malnutrition.Unfortunately, that is what can happen when dogs are in conditions that are too hot for them, which is why an air-conditioned environment is crucial to their health once the temperatures begin to rise outside. If your air conditioner no longer keeps your home cool, and your dogs have lost their appetite, take steps to repair your system immediately.

Now that the weather has started to heat up in California, service your air conditioner as soon as possible. Issues with your air conditioner will expose your dogs to heat-related problems. If you need assistance with your air conditioner, contact us at Mauzy Heating, Air & Solar. We are here to take care of all your air conditioner service and repair needs. We also are happy to answer all your questions.