Feeling the Heat

As temperatures sour across Australia it’s time to carefully consider how our pets are feeling the heat.

“Let’s face it the weather is becoming unbearable at times,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia (PIA) says. “Most of us two-legged variety’s enjoy breaks from the blistering heat in air-conditioned retreats throughout the day, our pets however are not so lucky.”

It’s around this time of year that veterinarians across Australia witnesses an increase in heat related issues.

“Heat-stroke is a very real and very deadly,” Crighton says. “It can happen suddenly and have devastating results.

The most affected are old or very young pets, certain types of breeds (brachycephalic breeds or those who have a short noses like British Bulldogs) and those pets that suffer from a range of conditions, such as obesity.

So how can you help your pet beat the heat?

• Leave plenty of cool water around for your pet.
• Ensure they have ample shady areas.
• Cool areas to sleep; concrete or tiles in the shade or consider wetting a soil area (like under a tree) before you leave for work.
• Get creative – fill ice-cream containers with water and a few pet treats, freeze. Give to your pet to play with and cool down at the same time.
• Fill a children’s play pool (like a clam shell) with a small amount of water to play and lay in.
• Restrict exercise during the hottest part of the day. Consider night and early morning walks.

It’s also a good time to remember to never leave your pet in a hot car. The research says it all; dogs die quickly in hot cars. Many studies have now concluded that even with the windows cracked, the internal temperature of a car will rise at the same rate as with the windows closed. In fact 80% of the final temperature rise occurs in the first 30mins and cracking a window is not effective in decreasing either the rate of the heat increase or the maximum temperature reached.

“A Standford University study revealed that when it’s only 22 degrees outside, the temperature inside your car will rise to a staggering 47.2 degrees within 60 minutes,” Crighton says. “If it’s hot outside, your cars internal temperature will climb to an unbearable and life threatening level.”

PIA is warning of the importance of pet owners understanding the early signs of heatstroke. Dogs and cats die very quickly from heatstroke unless it is treated immediately.

If you suspect your animal is suffering from heatstroke do not hesitate in seeking medical attention. Heatstroke can cause irreversible cell damage to animals that can quickly result in death. Symptoms are:

• Pet distress
• Restlessness
• Excessive panting
• Copious volumes of saliva
• Bright red or bluish purple gums

“Use your intuition, and trust your inner-voice. If your animal does not seem right, seek help.”

7 Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe During The Heat

Getting organized now can help immensely during those unexpected blistering hot days. Over the years I have come across some wonderful tips that have allowed me to keep my own dogs and cats super-cool, plus help others battle the heat.

1) Bowls

This can be the simplest of things to do to keep your dog and cat comfortable during the heat. Now is the time of year to keep an eye on where you place the water bowl and what material it is made from. Steel bowls will get very hot when placed in the sun, leaving your dog or cat with a soup of warm water by midday. Try using terracotta bowls and make sure they are in the shade all day, remembering that a bowl in the shade first thing, could be in full sun come Noon. During really hot weather it is also advisable to place a few buckets of cool water in different locations around your yard so your dog is spoilt for choice with cool water.

2) Icy Treats

Start collecting those ice-cream containers! Fill them with water and a few cat biscuits and freeze. Pop them out before you leave in the morning or during the hottest part of the day. Use ice trays for cats. Your dog, and cat, will lick and play with it for hours on end. Keeping them cool and entertained.

3) Cool Spot

Make a ‘cool spot’ available for your dog to lie during the day. Cats are masters at finding a cool sleeping spots, but our dogs will tend to dig at the soil under trees to find a cold spot. You can help them out by squirting their desired area of soil with water before leave for work. This will keep the area cool for them to lie in. Allowing access to cold flooring (shaded of course) is also beneficial.

4) Water Play

If your dog loves water, why not fill up one of those plastic clamshells with a little water? They will paw and splash about cooling themselves down while having fun at the same time.

5) Shade

This is super-important. Your pet must have access to shade through the entire day. Now is the time to monitor exactly how much shade your dogs’ area has. If it’s not enough consider putting up sunshades so that your dog has ample shade during the blistering heat. Removable sunshades are wonderful as you can remove them during the cooler months.

6) Clip Clip Clip

Do you have a dog or cat with a longer coat? Consider clipping them during the hotter months. This will keep them very comfortable and the coat can grow back during the cooler months. Clipping your pet is a great way to keep them cool and happy. Have a chat with your local groomer about the options available to your pet.

7) Exercise

Do not over-exercise your dog during hot weather. Consider taking them for a stroll down the beach if they are desperate for a run or waiting until later in the evening when it is cooler. But beware of heatstroke. A hot dog, running after a ball in the park can spell disaster. During the summer months take advantage of those stunning mornings and take your dog for a walk/run before it heats up.

If you are ever concerned that your dog or cat is not coping with the heat, take them immediately to your veterinarian for a check up. Heatstroke can be dangerous and can quick overcome your pet. Always keep an eye out for older and younger pets that can struggle during these hot months. Also; short-nosed breeds and heavy coated ones need to be carefully considered during the warmer months.

Nadia Crighton

Nadia Crighton is a renowned and accomplished professional in the fields of Journalism, Public Relations, and Writing, with an extensive career spanning over 25 years, 20 of which have been dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of pets.

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