Special pet care needed over summer
New MPI regulations include fines for dogs left in hot cars
The SPCA has again reminded animal owners to be vigilant in the care of their pets over the hot summer months.
Summer reliably produced an increase in complaints relating to animals without shade, lacking fresh water, and dogs left in hot cars, all of which could be avoided according to CEO Andrea Midgen.
Dog owners should also be aware that with the MPI’s new animal welfare regulations allowed for a $300 fine, for both the dog and vehicle owner, for leaving a dog in a hot car.
“Dogs left in cars is a common welfare issue SPCA responds to over the summer. The interior of a car can heat up very quickly on a sunny day. Leaving the windows slightly open has very little effect. This situation can be extremely dangerous — even fatal — for dogs.”
The SPCA’s advice included:
■ If the purpose of your trip is not for your dog, leave it at home. If you must take it with you, take fresh water and a dish, and always take the dog with you when you leave the car. If you see a dog suffering in a hot car, take immediate action by finding the owner or call the police or SPCA. Do not break into the car.
■ Exercise pets in the early morning or evenings. Avoid long and strenuous walks on warm, sunny days, and prolonged sun exposure. Take your pets to an area that has shade or a place for them to swim so they can take cool off, and if they want to slow down or stop, let them.
■ Ensure animals always have access to clean, fresh drinking water. In summer, keep their water bowl in a shaded spot; pets don’t like drinking warm water. Shallow dishes of cool water in shaded spots will also help wildlife keep cool and hydrated. Water may also be used to mist pets to help them keep cool.
■ Pets that are fair-skinned or light-haired are particularly susceptible to the sun. Skin cancer is common in dogs and cats, and although fur provides some protection, they might need a application of sunblock three to four hours to parts of their body that have little or no hair.
Stomachs, noses and the tips of the ears are the most commonly sunburnt areas. Normal sunscreen ingredients include zinc oxide, which can be toxic to animals, so a petfriendly sunscreen is best.
■ Ensure that outside pets, including horses, goats and poultry, have access to shaded areas to avoid the sun. Bear in mind the shade moves throughout the day so make sure to have multiple shade sources. Mature trees provide excellent shade, but artificial shade can be simply and inexpensively provided with shade cloth or tarpaulins.
■ A dog’s feet can get burnt and blistered on hot ground, particularly pavements, asphalt and sand. If any surface is too hot for the back of your hand, your pet shouldn’t be walking on it.
■ Summer is a time for extra care to be taken of older or overweight pets, brachycephalic breeds (such as pugs, British and French bulldogs), and those suffering from cardiac conditions, which are more susceptible to heat stress.
■ Half-fill a shallow children’s pool for your dog to bathe in (making sure it can get in and out easily); put ice cubes in an indoor bowl and freeze a big block of ice for their outdoor bowl; or freeze their favourite treat. Cooling mats can be found at most pet stores.
■ Make sure your cat has shaded, cool spots to lie down in; put ice water in glasses and bowls around the house; stroking your cat with a damp cloth (especially their paws, bellies and the outside of their ears); brush your cat regularly (matted fur works as insulation), but if you decide to shave a longhaired cat leave at least an inch of fur to protect against sunburn.
■ Move small animals to a cooler part of your home with ice cubes wrapped in a tea towel, a small frozen icepack or a wet tea towel in their enclosure for them to lean against. Fruit and vegetables high in water content, such as celery and apples, will help them avoid dehydration.
The symptoms of heat stroke are excessive panting, restlessness, excessive drooling, unsteadiness, abnormal gum and tongue colour, and collapse.
If you find an animal suffering from heat stroke, move it into a shaded or air conditioned area, offer it a small amount of lukewarm water, spray or soak its neck, abdomen and inner thighs in lukewarm water and get it to a vet as soon as possible.
Do not cool it with ice, as that will cause blood vessels to constrict, limiting heat loss.