Thermal Tags for Pets Work with an App to Keep Track of Rising Body Temps
Rebecca West
Every year, dogs across the globe die in parked vehicles from heat exhaustion. A vehicle can quickly reach sweltering temperatures that put dogs at risk of serious illness even on days that don't seem that hot to us humans.
Summer Safety with Pets
Part of that is because dogs have higher body temperatures than people. A dog's normal body temperature ranges from 101° to 102.5° Fahrenheit. Their ability to process heat out of their bodies is fairly limited without the ability to sweat.
Typically, only their tongues and their paws allow their bodies to disperse heat. Their bodies regulate their temperature by panting when they're hot. When compared to human anatomy, which allows our entire body to do so, it's easy to understand how things can go south so quickly for them.
Heat Exhaustion in Dogs
Even if you keep the windows rolled down three or four inches and park in the shade, it's still pretty stuffy and miserable inside a motor vehicle with the limited enclosed space. University studies show that in as few as 10 minutes, the heat can exceed 100°F. This is more than enough to harm or kill a dog through hyperthermia.
And it doesn't even have to be an enclosed space for overheating to take place. If you're out for a walk or a hike or even at an outdoor dining establishment, it would be helpful to know what their "feels like" temperature is in order to keep them safe and comfortable. Dogs left in backyards or on apartment balconies have been known to overheat and die. Heat exhaustion is a dreadful way to go.
Thermal Tag for Dogs
There might be a solution if it works. With a product called the ThermalTag, you'll be alerted via your phone (after downloading the app) whenever there's a temperature change. The waterproof tag, which is attached to their collar, continuously monitors the temp around your dog. As the temperature rises, the alerts begin so you always know just how hot it is in their immediate environment.
One of the system's features, if you have pets in your car, is that each time you engage the unit, you drop a "pin" for your vehicle's location. Then, through your smartphone's mapping system, you'll be guided back to your car. This saves time and frustration if you can't find your vehicle in a parking lot.
Indiegogo
So, where can you get one of these potentially life-saving gizmos? Well, at this juncture, they're sold exclusively through Indiegogo for customers in the U.S. who live in the contiguous lower 48 states. If you get one and believe it to be helpful, let us know on our social media pages.
Note: It's important to remember to never leave your pets unattended in vehicles during the heat of summer or the dead of winter if you live somewhere with extreme temperatures. Always discuss with your veterinarian what temps your pet can tolerate for their age, size, and breed, and never second guess their practical knowledge.
