Hot hydration tips

Like humans, our best buds need to stay hydrated this season

Help your furry friend survive the heat

For our furry friends, longer days and warmer temperatures equal extra time for fun in the sun! But just like us, they need special attention in the summer months, when heat can wreak havoc.

“On really hot days, you should make sure your pet has adequate access to shade and water,” says pet advocate and Rufus & Coco founder Anneke van den Broek. “If our pets are deprived of water or exposed to excessive heat in summer, they can get dehydrated.

“Pets get a lot of their hydration from food, too, so ensuring their diets include wet foods as well as dry is important,” says Anneke, who recommends adding water to kibble.

“On a really hot day, you can also give pets frozen treats to lick. Freezing bone broth with some meat treats in ice cubes or icy pole sticks can be a great way to add moisture to their diet.”

Even if you’re on top of your pet’s H 0 intake and body temperature, summer poses some dangers you might not even be aware of. Here, we’ve sniffed out the top five things all pet owners should look out for.

1. DEHYDRATION & HEATSTROKE

Heat stress affects animals too, so it pays to recognise the symptoms. “Some signs of dehydration to look out for include vomiting, diarrhoea, skin tenting (skin standing up when you lift it as if stuck together) panting, excessive urination, lethargy, weakness and drooling,” says Anneke. “Some of these symptoms may be indicative of other health concerns, so always consult your vet.”

2. SUNBURN

Like us, our pets can develop sunburn and skin cancer. Before a long day in the sun, apply sunscreen to your buddy’s nose (especially if it’s white), abdomen, inner legs, groin and ears. “You can buy sunscreens for your pet – just make sure they are pet-specific, as they have a different skin ph to humans,” advises Anneke.

3. RAW PAWS

“On really hot days, always check the footpath before taking your pup for a walk in the heat, as they don’t have shoes to protect their paws from the scalding pavement!” explains Anneke, who recommends walking your dog early in the morning or late at night.

4. EXTRA FUR

“Keeping your pet’s fur short in summer can help prevent overheating, but can also expose them to sunburn,” says Anneke. With that in mind, don’t ever shave your pet in the hot months, and make sure you brush them more often to avoid excess, matted fur.

5. WATER SAFETY

“Many dogs enjoy a paddle to cool down, but some can’t swim as well as others. If you have a pool, make sure they are supervised around it,” says Anneke. Until your pooch is confident in the water, have them wear a floating device. And try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which is loaded with chlorine and chemicals.