Keeping your pets happy and healthy this summer
Here are our tips on keeping your cats and dogs happy and healthy this summer.
Pets in hot weather
Avoid leaving all pets in parked cars, conservatories, greenhouses or caravan's. Temperatures can quickly rise to 47C (117F) which can result in death.
Ensure pets always have access to shade and fresh drinking water.
Sun protection
Just because your pet has a coat of fur, it doesn't mean that it is protected from the suns rays. If you have a pet that has fair skin, white or pale ginger fur, or even a pet with any white on their face, ears or nose, it is important to remember to use a safe and suitable sunscreen when they go outside between April and October, even on cloudy days.
Dogs die in hot cars
Never leave your dog alone in a car on a warm day. If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, dial 999.
Leaving the window open a few inches or parking in the shade makes virtually no difference to the temperature inside the car. A car can become as hot as an oven very quickly, even when it doesn't feel that warm. When its 22 degrees, in a car it can reach an unbearable 47 degrees within the hour. Dogs can die from heatstroke in as little as 15 minutes, and heatstroke can cause serious brain damage in a very short time. For more information, see the RSPCA's Dogs die in hot cars advice page.
Leaving the window open a few inches or parking in the shade makes virtually no difference to the temperature inside the car. A car can become as hot as an oven very quickly, even when it doesn't feel that warm. When its 22 degrees, in a car it can reach an unbearable 47 degrees within the hour. Dogs can die from heatstroke in as little as 15 minutes, and heatstroke can cause serious brain damage in a very short time. For more information, see the RSPCA's Dogs die in hot cars advice page.
Exercising your dog
Dogs need exercise, even when it's hot, however you should never exercise your dog excessively in hot weather. We recommend walking your dog in the morning or evening when it will not burn its paws on the pavement or be at increased risk of heatstroke.
Signs of burned pads:
- limping or refusing to walk
- licking or chewing at the feet
- pads darker in color
- missing part of pad
- blisters or redness
Holiday pet care
Whether you take your pet on holiday with you or leave them at home, consideration should be given to their welfare. It's a criminal offence to leave any animal alone without making arrangements for its welfare. For more information, see the RSPCA's going on holiday advice pages.
Published on Monday 8th July 2019
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