It’s definitely beach weather, and this heat looks set to stay. Sadly most of us can’t make it to the coast to cool off, and neither can our pets! But there are lots of things we can do to help our pets keep cool this summer. Here are a few tips:
Walk dogs early or later in the day when it’s cooler and take water with you so they can hydrate on route. Avoid lots of ball chasing or energetic activity as this can cause dogs to overheat. A paddling pool in the garden is great for cooling down throughout the day – lots of dogs love it! We owners can dip our toes in too! Make sure your canine companions always have access to shade and a cool place to rest and lots of fresh water on hand. Never leave dogs in a conservatory or car as in this weather it can be fatal.
Cats need access to shade, cool and fresh water too. You can set up a fan indoors to cool and circulate air, but don’t aim this directly at your cat’s bed as they are unlikely to enjoy this! Creating a through-draft is ideal. If your cat likes to go outdoors, bushes, patio furniture or even a box on its side can provide welcome protection from the sun. If you have a white cat, apply pet-specific sunscreen to their ears and the top of the nose to prevent burning.
Don’t forget small furries! If outdoors, it’s important to consider the positioning of their hutch and run, so that it’s not in the sun’s glare when the sun rotates and is kept in shade. You can help your small furries stay cool with frozen water bottles wrapped in tea towels which they can choose to lie against. Change drinking water regularly, and using water bowls helps small furries to take on more fluid. Check their bottoms twice daily to ensure they are clean and healthy. Poo attracts flies and can lead to a very painful and potentially fatal condition called fly strike, where flies lay their eggs in a small furry’s skin, and when the maggots hatch, they feed off the animal. Remember to keep bedding fresh and clean too.
If you have any concerns about your pet’s health please call us on 01922 411755. Speed is often of the essence. Registered clients can also take advantage of our free 24/7 VidiVet triaging service for advice. Excessive panting or drooling, noisy breathing, distress and lethargy can all be signs of heat stroke which needs urgent veterinary attention. Stay alert to changes in your pet at this hot time of year!