Beat the heat: Tips for keeping your pets cool in high summer temperatures
Here’s how you can help your favourite animal keep cool during the hotter periods of the year.
During the summer months, to combat the heat, you might turn on the fan, drink some ice water, take off your shirt or - if you’re lucky - jump in the pool.
However, our furry friends cannot do these things, and they’re not very good at telling us they’re struggling with the hot temperatures, which is why it’s key to know the signals and how to act upon them.
Keep reading if you want to know how to keep your animal cool during summer. Before we continue, this is mainly aimed at dogs, so if you’ve got a gecko, a spider or a giraffe, check with your vet.
Unable to regulate body temperature effectively, dogs can suffer greatly when it comes to heat. While we sweat like crazy to keep cool, our companions cannot, so watch for signs such as heavy panting, pale or dry gums, excessive drooling, elevated pulse, confusion, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, or, in the worst case scenario, collapse.
Should your pet show any of these symptoms, get in touch with a specialist.
How to keep your pet cool during summer
Remember to protect their paws from hot surfaces, such as pavements and roads when walking them. If you can’t hold the back of your hand against it for more than 3 seconds, your dog’s paws are going to burn.
Here are some tips on how to keep your pooch happy during summer:
- Schedule walks and playtime in the early morning or late evening.
- Always provide cool, fresh water in multiple bowls.
- Use cooling methods like hoses, sprinklers, small kiddie pools, soaked towels, or cooling mats.
- Feed more wet or canned food to boost hydration.
It’s not just the tourists that come out of their huts when the sun comes out. Ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, also pose threats during summertime.
Your trusty vet can recommend preventatives, but you should also check your pets daily for signs of bugs.
‘The Body’ at 61
As well as the nasty insects, remember to provide shade and cooling areas for your pets. Light-coloured or thin-haired ones can in fact get sunburn and should have access to shade or receive vet-approved sunscreen where appropriate.
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