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Keeping Pets Cool This Summer
The long hot Aussie summer means lazy days by the pool, barbeques and longer days of sunshine, but it also means that the temperatures are going to escalate. This might be great news for you, but then you are not wearing a fur coat or feathers!
In this article we will look at some ways that you can have a great time WITH your pets this summer - how you can keep your cool by "keeping cool".
Spot Hot Spots before they become a problem!
For my Labrador Ben the heat has always been an issue because he is particularly prone to "hot spots". If you own a dog and are wondering what on earth I am referring to, then consider yourself lucky, because hot spots mean more than a spot of bother for your dog. In the summer heat Ben gets hot and bothered, scratches, breaks the skin which paves the way for a localised staphyllococcus infection: a red, moist sore that spreads like a brushfire unless attended to quickly. If you see anything like this, or other heat-related stresses on your pet, make a beeline for your vet.
Hot Tips for Keeping Cool
The trick to beating the summer heat is to stop your pet from scratching and to keep cool! Here are some tips that you might find useful:
- Don't leave your pet in the car! Your car can heat up like an oven, especially, but not only in summer. If you need to go shopping, leave your furry friends at home
- Many dogs love to swim and it is a great way for them to cool down. Make sure to select waterways that are safe, and suitable for dogs to swim in. Check our leash free parks directory for some suggestions, or speak to your local council.
- Fleas cause scratching! If there are possibilities of fleas in your areas, make sure that your pets are on a recognised flea treatmment program. We use and recommend Bayer Advantage, available from vets
- Take plenty of water, even on short trips - a portable water bowl can be particularly handy for your dog or cat. Check your pet's water bowls at home regularly to make sure they are full and cool - and don't leave them in direct sunlight
- Slip Slop Slap for your pets as well. While fur does offer some protection your pet can still get burned. Sunburn will affect your pet in the same way as it can affect you - pain, peeling and a heightened risk of skin cancer. Try to avoid the summer sun between 10am and 4pm. You can also use a little Sunblock on your pet's exposed areas such as tips of the ears, nose, and skin around the lips
- Take special care on humid days! When we get hot we sweat, and as our sweat dries it removes excess heat. Our four-legged friends can only perspire around their paws which isn't enough to cool them down properly, so they pant. This panting means that they are expelling a lot of air which takes a lot of excess heat with it, however the effectiveness of this is reduced at times of high humidity
- Exercise in the cooler hours, at a casual pace and stop regularly for water breaks
- Elderly, very young and sick animals can have difficulty in regulating their body temperature, so make sure to keep them out of the heat and close tlo a source of cool water
- If your pet is overweight it can also be prone to overheating. This is because extra fat layers can trap the heat within their bodies
- Keep your pet inside on hot days. If this is not possible, make sure there is ready access to shaded areas throughout the day (remember that shade can travel)
- Remember: Heatstroke kills! Your best form of protection is prevention, however if your pet has spent some time in the heat and exhibits panting, staring, anxious expression, refusal to obey commands, warm, dry skin, high fever, rapid heartbeat, vomiting or collapse it might be experiencing heatstroke. If you suspect heatstroke, call a vet. In the meantime, apply towels soaked in cool water to the exposed parts of your animal's body. Most importantly, get your pet to the vet.
Pet news courtesy of Pets Playground.
