Having a hot summer? It’s a good thing most of us work in air conditioned offices! But what about our beloved pets that stay indoors during the hottest part of the day? There are several things you can do to keep them safe during a heat wave. And the CubeSensors you have around the home can help you keep track of your home’s temperature and humidity even when you’re not around.

Set the right temperature depending on your pet’s breed

Generally speaking, dogs and cats are still comfortables at slightly higher temperatures than humans. For example, most cats won’t have problems dealing with temperatures up to 85°F (30°C). In fact, I often find my own cats, even the long haired Maine Coon, napping in the sunniest and hottest spots of the flat.

On the other hand, chinchillas can start overheating when the temperature rises above 75°F (24°C) and will have serious problems at temperatures cats are still comfortable with.

Different breeds and older animals also have different preferences and needs. It’s a good idea to ask your vet for personalized recommendations for your pet and use to the Cubes to check that your pets aren’t exposed to dangerously highly temperatures.

High humidity is just as dangerous

You can also use the Cubes to keep an eye on the humidity levels, which can get uncomfortably high on really hot days. Dogs keep cool by panting, which evaporates moisture from their lungs and takes the heat away from their bodies. Just like your sweat can’t evaporate as easily when the humidity is too high, your dog won’t be able to keep herself cool if it’s too humid. Ideally, you should aim for less than 60% humidity.

Having the AC on can help you lower the humidity. That’s why ACs are a better choice than fans if you have pets. Fans do help to move the air around, but aren’t as effective at keeping your pets cool.

Leave your pets with plenty of shade, fresh water and cool treats

Even with the AC on, it’s a good idea to prepare a few extra cooling measures before leaving home in the morning. Close the blinds, curtains or shades on your closed windows after you’ve let the fresh morning air in. This will lower the energy costs of air conditioning, while also creating cool spots where your pets can retreat to during the hottest part of the day.

And while pets keep their cool differently from us, they do appreciate cool treats just as we do. Cool, fresh and clean water should always be at the reach of their paws. Dogs might even appreciate ice cubes in their water bowls or freezing toys they can chew on. You can also make cooled mats available, either by buying ones filled with cooling gel or by soaking regular mats in cold water.