Texas Pet Owners Get Warning About Animals’ Drinking Water

A special weather statement issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Brownsville, Texas, urges pet owners to provide their animals with fresh drinking water as scorching temperatures are expected across the region on Monday afternoon.

The forecast follows several weeks’ worth of above-average temperatures that were felt across Texas and the U.S. Southwest. Daily temperature records were broken in multiple places last week, including at Death Valley National Park, the hottest place on Earth, when temperatures reached 122 degrees on Thursday, the earliest that has happened.

On Monday, residents in the Brownsville, Texas, region can expect daytime high temperatures to reach the upper 90s. Humidity will influence the heat index, or the “feels like” temperature, rising it to as much as 113 degrees. Areas most likely to experience the summer-like temperatures are Rio Grande Valley and parts of inland Kenedy and Brooks counties.

“Be sure to check on elderly and inform neighbors and relatives. Provide shade and fresh water for outdoor pets and livestock and check the backseat of your vehicle when transporting children,” the NWS warned in a special weather statement issued early Monday morning. “If working outside today, be sure to continue to take the necessary measures, that is to drink plenty of water, wear loose-fitting and light-colored clothing, and take frequent breaks in air-conditioned locations.”

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) anticipates that 10 companion animals—nine dogs and one cat—have died from heat-related impacts so far this year as of June 5. None of the deaths have occurred in Texas so far this year. However, several rescues occurred in Houston where an animal was saved after being exposed to the heat for too long. The Houston rescues occurred on May 21, May 18 and April 18. Three dogs were rescued from hot cars, and one dog was rescued after it had been left out on a balcony.

In 2023, 163 animals died from heat-related causes, PETA reported, although the organization expects the number to be much higher. There were 855 reported heat-related rescues.

Newsweek reached out to PETA through online comment form for comment.

To protect your animals in the heat, PETA suggests leaving dogs and cats indoors and never leaving them in a hot car. If someone sees a dog trapped in a hot car, PETA suggests calling 911.

Walking a dog outdoors in hot weather also can be harmful, as pavement temperatures can feel much hotter than the air outside. If the pavement feels too hot to the touch to a human, PETA said that it’s too hot for a pet. Owners can avoid hot pavement temperatures by walking their pets early in the morning or late in the evening, or by choosing a shady route.

Much of Texas is expected to experience “minor” or “moderate” impacts from the heat on Monday, according to the NWS HeatRisk index, a map that provides a forecast of heat-related impacts over the next 24 hours.

Heat is expected to worsen throughout the week in Texas, with the most severe impacts expected on Sunday, when “extreme” and “severe” impacts will be felt.