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AS the temperatures are soaring, it’s very important to take care of your four-legged friends, as in some cases the heat could even be fatal to them.
Brits have been enjoying soaking up the sunshine over the weekend and even today some parts of the country will enjoy a hot spell – but what does it mean for our dogs?
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It’s essential that pet owners pay extra attention to the furry pals, as dogs can succumb to fatal heatstroke within minutes when exposed to high temperatures.
Sean McCormack, head vet at Tails.com, has shared guidance on keeping your pet cool, as well as signs of heatstroke that may indicate you have a problem, Yahoo! News reported.
If your pet is displaying the symptoms below, you need to take them to a vet as soon as possible.
- Excessive panting
- Rapid or laboured breathing
- Excessive thirst
- Lying on their side
- Lethargy
- Seeming unresponsive or quiet
- Seeming agitated or stressed
- Vomiting
- Lack of coordination
How to keep dog cool in warm weather
However, while dogs shouldn’t be taken out in excessively hot weather, these pets also need to be walked daily, with some breeds requiring more than one walk.
So, should you be walking your dog when the temperatures are soaring – when is it too hot and you should both stay inside?
As warned by the expert, it’s important that dog owners avoid walking their four-legged friends during the hottest points of the day, which is around the afternoon.
This is because paved surfaces can get extremely hot, possibly resulting in scorched paws for our pets.
Instead, where possible, it’s best to go for a walk early in the morning or late at night to avoid the hot pavement.
If you’re unsure whether it’s safe, do the seven-second test – hold your palm to the ground and if it’s too painful to hold it in place for more than seven seconds, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on.
Keep your dog hydrated
One of the key ways you can help your dog beat the high temperatures is to make sure their system is hydrated – even more so when you’re out and about.
Pet owners are strongly advised to ensure they have access to fresh water at all times and if you’re heading out for a walk, grab a travel bowls or doggy drinking bottles.
Feed them little and often
During the last few days, when parts of the UK have been under a hot spell, you may have noticed your dog has a decreased appetite.
To ensure they still get all the nutrition needed – but at a pace that suits them, it’s worth considering feeding them little and often.
How to keep pets cool during hot weather
EVERYONE’S doing their best to beat the heat and stay cool as temperatures soar.
So here’s The Sun’s best advice on what you can do to keep your pet cool during hot weather.
CATS: Drop some ice cubes in your cat’s drinking bowl.
Wait until the end of the day before you play with kitty, when its cooler.
Pet your cat with a wet cloth, most cats don’t mind some moisture on their fur.
DOGS: Give them a wet towel to lay on.
Avoid walking on hot pavements and consider getting booties for them to insulate their toes.
Avoid exercise at the hottest parts of the day.
Consider frozen treats
Speaking of food, one of the easiest yet most effective ways to cool your dog down is with a scrumptious frozen treat.
Although dogs cannot enjoy ice cream, a fabulous alternative is cutting up bananas and freezing the fruit, or even adding your dog’s tip treat to a lick mat.
Set up a paddling pool
For the ultimate cool down, those with an access to a garden could set up a paddling pool for their dog so they could enjoy splashing around – and cooling diwn.
But if your furry fried prefers to stay indoors, close the curtains and set up a fan to keep the air moving.
