18/07/2022
‼️ HEATWAVE SAFETY ‼️
Few tips on how to keep your furbabies safe & well during hot weather.
Dogs🐶
DO NOT walk your dog during the heatwave. It is NOT worth the risk. Even at 8am this morning, the temperature was 25 degrees at that is way too hot for them. Dogs won’t die from missing a walk, but one walk can kill them! In 30 degree heat, pavements are around 57 degrees - this is UNBEARABLE and will cause significant burning to their paws/pads.
-Provide as much shade as possible & do not let them sit outside and bask in the sun
-Use sprinklers/paddling pools to help keep dogs cool during the day, again limiting the amount of time spent in direct sunlight
❗️WARNING if using a hose pipe, PLEASE run it through thoroughly first - when left out in warm weather, hose pipes can heat the water left inside them to a scalding temperature❗️
- Use cool mats/fans where possible and if tolerated, but do not force this upon them.
DO NOT place wet towels over dogs bodies… wet towels absorb and trap heat and can cause an increase in temperature!
-Ensure there is plenty of fresh water available, use multiple bowls around the house & garden, and change regularly
Cats 🐱
-Ensure there is plenty of shade provided wherever possible, cardboard boxes can be used as a good source of shade, but care must be given to ensure there is an adequate amount of ventilation!
❗️In multi-cat households, sources of shade should be increased to ensure each cat has choice and space ❗️
-Cool mats/fans can be used IF they are tolerated. It is important not to force cats to sit on mats/in front of fans as this can cause additional stress
-Provide plenty of fresh water, in numerous bowls around the house/garden
❗️In multi-cat households, ensure there is at least 1 bowl per cat, plus an additional. For example, for 2 cats, AT LEAST 3 bowls should be accessible ❗️
-Keep a close eye on your cat’s whereabouts if possible, ensuring they’re not shut in hot places with poor ventilation such as greenhouses, sheds, garages etc.
SIGNS OF HEATSTROKE🐶🐱
- Vomiting, lethargy, confusion, rapid breathing/excessive panting, difficulty breathing, drooling, loss of coordination.
In severe cases, pets with heatstroke can collapse & seizure.
‼️ If you have ANY concerns regarding the well-being of your pet in the heat, contact your vet immediately‼️
Heatstroke can be fatal and should be treated with a matter of urgency.
Rabbits & Guinea pigs 🐰🐹
- If kept in hutches, provide plenty of shade and ensure there is a good level of ventilation.
-Provide water BOWLS. Even if your pet only normally drinks from a bottle, provide multiple bowls of fresh water to make sure this is easily accessible if they need it.
-Check rabbits/guinea pigs regularly throughout the day! Temperature of their housing should be monitored, alongside their demeanour.
-Check backends of pets, especially rabbits. In the warmer weather, pets are at higher risk of flystrike. Ensure rabbits are clean and dry at all time, and when needed, fur should be trimmed to limit build up of faeces/urine - this is particularly important in eldery rabbits who cannot groom themselves thoroughly.
Signs of heatstroke in rabbits/guinea pigs:
-Drooling/salivating, panting & short shallow breaths, lethargy, ears that are hot to the touch, loss of coordination and/or general weakness.
In severe cases, seizruing and loss of consciousness can also occur.
‼️Contact your vet immediately if you are concerned ‼️
Feel free to share this post with friends & family!
Stay safe in the heatwave 🌞
