It’s a dilemma every pet owner faces during the summer season. What should the house temperature be while you are away at work? The decision might seem pretty clear to parties on both sides of the fence, but the issue is a little bit more complicated on closer inspection. Here’s some help from your friends at On Time Home Services.
Should You Leave the Air Conditioner On for Your Cat or Dog?
On the one hand, animals have long, thick coats and are easily uncomfortable if exposed to too much heat. This can be unhealthy for them as well. We all know how dangerous it can be to leave pets inside parked cars, which can quickly reach temps well above 100 degrees in minutes. On the other hand, many dogs live and thrive exclusively outdoors without suffering from the heat. And before domestic ownership, dog ancestors braved the warm climate. Leaving your central AC running all day is expensive, and it has a huge negative impact on the environment.
So what is the verdict: Should you leave the AC on for your pets?
Here are some factors to consider:
- Do you own a cat, a dog, or a smaller caged animal? Cats and small caged animals tend to expend less energy and may not need the AC turned up very high, or even on at all. Dogs on the other hand may be most comfortable at 78-80 degrees. Sometimes fans will suffice, depending on the type of animal.
- How long is your pet’s hair? If your pet has a long, luxurious coat of fur, it will heat up a lot faster without any AC.
- How old and how healthy is your pet? If you have a small puppy or kitten, an elderly pet, or an animal with health problems, it is important to make sure they are as comfortable as possible.
- How much does your home heat up? This will depend on where you live, the direction your house faces, the thickness of the curtains over your windows, and countless other factors. If you are trying to decide what to do about the AC for your pet, try turning it off while you are home for a while. If you feel uncomfortable and/or your pet is visibly uncomfortable, you will know that AC is necessary. But if the house remains cool, you can stick to fans and save some energy while you are gone.
Many pet owners decide that it is better to be safe than sorry with their AC. But if yours stays reasonably comfortable or your pet seems unbothered by the change in temperature, there are some other methods to help your pet stay cool with less expense and environmental impact.
How To Help Your Pet Stay Cool:
- Plenty of fresh water, preferably with ice cubes
- Frozen water bottles wrapped in towels or frozen wash rags for caged pets
- Ceiling fans and portable fans
- Frozen versions of their favorite treats
- Regular grooming
- A kiddie pool for splashing outdoors
We believe in prioritizing our customers’ safety: and that includes the safety of their furry friends! We hope this information will help you decide how to best keep your pets comfortable this summer.
Need to schedule repair, replacement, or annual preventative maintenance on your AC system to make sure your pets stay cool? On Time Home Services has a team of professional NATE certified HVAC technicians who are here to help! Give us a call at (949) 649-8777 for service in the Temecula area.