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Protecting pet dogs, cats, and strays from a heatwave is essential to ensure their well-being during hot weather. Here are some tips to help keep them safe:
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Provide plenty of water
Ensure that your pets have constant access to clean, fresh water. If you have outside pets, keep extra water bowls in shaded spots to ensure they stay hydrated. Give the dog small amounts of cool water to drink. Wash the dog’s feet, ears, and head with cool water.
Make shaded areas
Provide your pets with shaded areas in your yard or on your balcony so they can escape the heat. To give them a cool, shaded area, use umbrellas, tarps, or even a dog or cat house with proper ventilation. Try to provide cool, shaded areas for pets that are permitted outside, such as cats and dogs.
Limit outdoor activities
Avoid taking your pets on long walks or leaving them outside for extended periods of time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the peak heat hours. Their paws could get burned by the pavement, which can get very hot. The Dogs Die in Hot Cars campaign has long drawn attention to this particular risk, but many more dogs suffer from heatstroke while out for a hot walk. Reduce activity levels and only walk dogs during the cooler parts of the day when it’s hot outside.
Keep indoor environments cool
Use fans, air conditioning, or allow access to a cool, shaded room if you have pets inside. To reduce temperature and block out direct sunlight, close your curtains or blinds. Since it is not always possible to give them baths, it is crucial to regularly sponge them after they get back from their walks. Their paw pads, belly, and ears should be your main areas of attention. Because they are so delicate, rub them with a damp towel.
Brush their fur
Brushing your pet’s fur on a regular basis can help remove loose hair and prevent matting, which can make them feel hotter. However, don’t shave their fur too short because it can act as a heat barrier.
Pets should never be left in a parked car
The temperature inside a parked car can quickly rise to dangerous levels, resulting in heatstroke and death, even on a mild day. Never, not even briefly, leave your pets in a parked car. In a hot car, any animal is susceptible to heatstroke. If you’re travelling with a pet, think about how you can keep them cool during the trip as well as if you break down or get caught in traffic.
Maintain water outside for stray animals and birds
When it’s hot outside, animals can easily become dehydrated, so always have water available to them. For drinking water, terracotta bowls work best because they keep water cooler for longer than other materials. You can also put a cool stone inside a terracotta bowl to extend its cooling time. To prevent waterborne infections, make sure to clean and change the water frequently. You should also avoid adding ice cold water.
Keep an eye for signs of heat stress
Find out how to recognise the symptoms of heatstroke in pets, which include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, and collapse. Move your pet to a cool, shaded area, provide them with water to drink, and call your veterinarian right away if you think they may be experiencing heatstroke.
Remember that heat-related illnesses can affect pets as well, so it’s crucial to take precautions and give them a cool, comfortable environment during a heatwave. Consult your veterinarian for more advice if you are worried about your pet’s health or well-being during severe weather.
