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February 17, 2023

Is Your Home’s Temperature Right For Your Pets?

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It’s important to keep our dogs and cats cool enough during the hot summer months and also warm enough during the chilly winter months. That is why it is imperative for your air conditioning and heating system to work properly, especially with the extreme weather.

Ideal Temperature For Your Pets

As a pet owner, it’s important to ensure that your furry friends are comfortable and healthy in your home. One important aspect of your pet’s comfort is the temperature of your home. So, what is the ideal home temperature for your pets?

Pets & Hot Weather

Hot weather can be especially dangerous for pets; just like people, they can suffer from both heat stress and heat exhaustion, both of which can cause other serious health concerns such as cardiovascular issues and respiratory problems.

Hot weather which also includes high levels of humidity is even more dangerous since pets have a hard time cooling down naturally (by panting to take in cooler and drier air) when there is a lot of hot moisture in the air.

Dogs in particular are at very high risk during hot and humid conditions because they are by nature physically active and therefore it’s all too easy for them to become overheated in hot environments.

You should also take additional precautions with any pets that have a history of heart or lung problems because they are often at a higher risk for heat stroke or other heat-related illnesses. Check out our blog if you want to learn How Can You Fix The Problem Of Polluted Air.

Your thermostat temperature setting should take these factors into consideration. Some of these factors include (but are not limited to) what breed your dog or cat is (some have thicker fur coats or shorter snouts which can impact how well they can cool themselves off or how much heat they retain), how large they are (smaller dogs lose body heat faster than larger dogs), and how old they are (younger pets, such puppies and kittens, as well as older pets usually benefit more from slightly warmer temperatures).

Generally speaking, in the summer it’s often recommended to set your thermostat somewhere between 75 degrees and 78 degrees Fahrenheit depending upon your pet’s individual needs (for example, a pet with a thicker fur coat will be better off at 75 degrees). Also, for pets who are at home alone, always set the temperature to below 80 degrees. If your a/c system is not reaching those desired temperatures please call ICE at 702-820-2184 to repair your AC system today. Your pet will be enormously grateful.

Furthermore, make sure to always leave your pet plenty of fresh water to drink while you’re away so that they don’t become dehydrated.

Pets & Cold Weather

Just as hot weather poses numerous health risks to your pet’s health so too does the cold weather. Prior to the start of the cold season, schedule your annual heater maintenance by a certified ICE HVAC technician.

Pets with joint conditions such as arthritis, for example, often struggle in cold weather conditions because the cold worsens the aches they feel in their bones. Additionally, pets with heart or lung conditions can also run into problems.  Furthermore, cold weather conditions can also lead to cracked paw pads, which can occur from their paws becoming too cold and dried out (similar to how people sometimes get dry and flaking skin in cold and dry conditions).   There is also an increased risk of illness with cold conditions, so it’s important to do everything you can to keep your pets comfortable and safe during the chillier times of the year.

Setting your thermostat between 69 degrees and 72 degrees is typically the ideal temperature during the heating season for most pets. However, you should always consider your pet’s individual situation before deciding on a temperature.

Pets with thick fur coats (such as Huskies and Persian cats) have a greater tolerance for the cold, so it’s okay to set the thermostat at the lower end of the temperature spectrum (69 rather than 72, for example). On the other hand, if you have a young puppy or kitten (or an elderly pet), set your temperature closer to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Also, never let the indoor temperature drop below 60 degrees, even if you plan on leaving the house for a long period of time. You should also make sure to place your pet’s bed in a warm location and leave the window shades open so they catch some sun rays for additional warmth.

If you’re facing pest problems at home, check out our blog Pest Problems – Is Your AC System Inviting Bugs Into Your Home?.

Call ICE Heating & Cooling For HVAC Installation

If you’re unsure about the ideal temperature for your pets or if you’re having trouble regulating the temperature in your home, it may be time to invest in a new HVAC system. At ICE Heating & Cooling, we specialize in HVAC installation and maintenance to ensure that your home is comfortable for both you and your furry friends. Our team of experts can help you choose the right system for your home and ensure that it’s installed correctly for optimal performance.

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