Some like it hot - but not dogs!

With a three day heat wave just starting it is time for the "scary summer heat and pets blog post". A quick look at how the heat can affect your pets.

Keeping Your Cool

You'd hope that relentless campaigning has made everyone aware of the risks of leaving a dog in a car during the summer. But even a moderate (to us) rise in temperature on a walk, in the garden or in the house can be have a significant effect on your dog. These elements are amplified by your pet's physical condition (are they obese, dehydrated or recuperating?), their age (the very old and the very young are most at risk) and even their breed (eg the brachycephalic breeds can struggle). So give full and honest consideration to how the heat can affect your pet.

Is Your Journey Really Necessary?

In all honesty it is probably kinder to leave your pet at home on very hot days, and if you do then ensure they have access to plenty of water (pop some ice cubes in their drinking bowl as you leave) and open windows for ventilation or switch on the air conditioning. If you must travel with your pet, ensure they have constant access to cold water and open windows for ventilation or switch on the air conditioning. Sound familiar? And even if you leave your car in a shaded area the sun will move and the temperature will rise rapidly; so there is no such thing as "just five minutes", simply never leave dogs in a hot car.

Hot Dog

A dog regulates body temperature primarily through respiration as they cannot sweat like we do, so they can easily over heat. Warning signs of this include excessive panting, a fast heart rate and a muddy coloured gums; without treatment this can become very serious indeed. A dog's normal body temperature is 38.6C (101.5F) but if a dog’s body temperature reaches 40.5C (105F) it is difficult for them to regain control. If their temperature exceeds 42.2C (108F), cellular damage can start to occur. So suspected instances of heat stroke must be treated as an emergency which requires veterinary assistance. So on a hot day if you spot any of the symptoms described above, call your vets immediately, and be ready to initiate first aid. Don't worry about looking silly or think that you are over reacting. You probably are, but as you are potentially saving your dog's life, who cares!

Not Cool For Cats

You may not realise it but sunburn commonly affects cats and some dogs with white ear tips and white or pink noses. Leave this unchecked for a number of years and you'll see reddened looking skin. This can develop into solar dermatitis or the forming of scabs. Applying a waterproof, sensitive, sunblock daily will help prevent this. So just like you would for a human, make sure that you apply a suitable sun cream regularly and carefully - we've got sun screens for both dogs and cats.

Don't be too afraid

Now all the above makes it sound like we should just batten down the hatches, turn the AC up full and hide in the cellar until autumn, but that would miss out on dog walks without three coats, wellington-free excursions to the park and or sitting in the garden to the puzzlement of the cat who thinks it their own personal fiefdom! Enjoy the summer with your pet, just be aware of the dangers of hot days.