Advice on keeping your pet cool in a heatwave

Keeping your pet cool in a heatwave

SUMMER heatwaves have been making a welcome appearance for many of us this year, but as the temperature soars, we feel for our furry friends.

Thankfully, the PDSA offers some really useful tips to keep pets comfortable in the summer heat.

Cool drinks will help. Change the water in your pet’s drinking bowl regularly through the day. Dogs still need exercise, but choose the cooler times, such as before eight a.m. and after five p.m. and stick to walking on grass if you can. Hard surfaces can become unbearably hot and damage paw pads.

A quick way to check is to place the back of your hand on the surface. If you can’t hold it there comfortably for five seconds, the surface is too hot for paws. Pet shops sell boots or paw wax that will offer some protection if walking on pavements is unavoidable.

Make sure that any rabbits, guinea pigs or caged birds living outside always have access to shade. If you have pond-dwelling fish, try to ensure they have shady spots where they can retreat from the sun’s rays in their watery home.

If you’re travelling with your pet, never leave them alone in the car, not even for a few minutes with windows open. You may be delayed. Temperatures can soar rapidly. If they get dangerously high, your pet could die from heatstroke.

Be careful of pets in conservatories or greenhouses, too.

Know the signs of heatstroke – excessive panting, extreme salivation, distress and collapse. If this happens, gradually cool your pet’s body temperature with cool but not cold water, e.g. wrapping it in water-soaked towels – and changing them frequently – and call your vet for advice.

PDSA Senior Vet Elaine Pendlebury said, “Pets’ smaller body size makes them particularly susceptible to heatstroke and they can’t tell us when they’re too hot in their fur coats. So it’s up to owners to spot the signs and ensure they remain healthy in the heat.”

With a bit of care and attention, we can ensure our pets have fun and don’t suffer in the sunshine. n