As temperatures rise, our furry friends are at high risk of dehydration and heat stroke. Here are some tips to keep your pet safe.
Do’s
* Keep a bowl of clean drinking water that is accessible to your pet 24 hours a day — cats and other species need as much water as dogs do, both in the day and at night. According to experts, the water bowls need to be placed in the shade (to avoid heating in the sun), as many pets don’t drink hot water, regardless of how thirsty they are.
* Always keep pets in well-ventilated area indoors with access to a fan.
* Allow them freedom indoors; this will enable them to find the coolest area in your home.
* Take dogs for walks early in the morning and late in the evening when the temperatures are cooler. Tar roads can damage sensitive paws if they are taken for walks during afternoons or when the sun is at its peak.
* In the event of a heat stroke, apply room temperature water (not cool or cold) to the entire body and allow it to evaporate, to maximise cooling across the skin. Take your pet to a vet immediately after this.
* While all animals are vulnerable to heat stroke during this season, flat-nosed dogs such as pugs, bulldogs and boxers, and those with thick fur coats are at a higher risk.
* Transport your pets only in air-conditioned vehicles, and only if absolutely necessary.
Don’ts
* Avoid tying or confining pets to the outdoors, including terraces, verandas or kennels; exposure to the elements increases chance of dehydration death and sunstroke.
* Refrain from engaging them in intense physical activity.
*Don’t leave a pet inside your vehicle even for a few seconds, as the temperature in a parked car rises rapidly and could be fatal.
* Avoid shaving a pet’s fur completely during the summer as this could result in sunburn. Trimming the fur under the advice and guidance of a vet is advisable.
* Never ignore the symptoms of dehydration. Lift the skin between their shoulder blades – loss of elasticity, i.e. if it doesn’t return to its original place immediately, is a warning sign. Other symptoms, according to experts, are heavy panting that does not resolve as the pet rests, increasing distress, tongue colour that is dark red to almost purple, weakness or collapse, hyper-salivation, vomiting and laboured breathing.
* Unless it’s an emergency, avoid taking your pet to the veterinarian when the sun is at its peak. For general check-ups and annual vaccinations, choose early morning or late evening instead.
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