Whether you’re a dog owner or a cat owns you, having a furry friend or two in the home can be very enjoyable and rewarding. But living somewhere as warm as we do, it can also be worrisome. How often and how low should your run your air conditioner to make sure they’re comfortable and stay healthy? Is there anything else you should know?
Fortunately, we have the answers you need. Read on!
Keeping Your Pets Cool
One of the questions people often ask is, “Do I really need to keep my air conditioner on for my pets?” The answer is always going to be yes. As domesticated animals, their bodies need about the same level of comfort as we do. Now, some breeds are better “insulated” than others depending on their coats and able to stay cooler longer in direct sunlight, but in general, dogs and cats can and do overheat.
So what’s the best temperature to keep them comfortable? About 78-81°F.
For exceptionally hot days, here are some other tips:
- Keep your dogs’ walks short and in the shade whenever possible.
- Always allow them access to plenty of water.
- Monitor your pets’ behavior for panting or dehydration (their gums will be paler than usual).
- Do use booties to protect your dogs’ paw pads outside on a walk, but do not leave them on when you’re back at home–your dog sweats through its paw pads only–this in addition to panting is how they cool themselves off!
- Make or buy cool dog and cat-friendly treats!
Keep an Eye on Your AC Air Filter
When you have pets, it’s even more important to stay on top of your air filter and change it when you need to. The air filter that comes with your air conditioner is designed to stop particles from entering the system and damaging its sensitive components. When the air filter gets too clogged up, it restricts airflow and your cooling system can’t work as effectively or efficiently as possible.
Pet hair exacerbates this problem. Typically, depending on the type of air filter, it should be changed every 1-3 months. If yours is a basic, fiberglass mesh one, it would need to be swapped out more often than a pleated one, even without pets.
Schedule Air Conditioning Maintenance!
When you have pets at home 24/7, you want to make sure your air conditioner is reliable. The last thing you need is to be at work when your air conditioner unknowingly breaks down and creates an uncomfortable and potentially even harmful scenario for your pets.
Maintenance allows our technicians to thoroughly inspect, clean, and adjust the components that need it, keeping them reliable. During the inspection portion, we’ll check for signs of wear and tear so we can alert you to repair needs right away. The faster you address those repair needs, the more you can rely on that air conditioner to keep your furbabies comfortable and healthy!
For professional air conditioning service in Cypress, TX, contact Cool Care Heating and Air Conditioning. The Best Care for Your Air!