How to help animals in the heat: useful tips for caring for pets
In hot weather, cats and dogs feel uncomfortable, just like humans. While humans can cool themselves with ice cream or a fan, animals are unable to shed their “fur.” In such conditions, cats and dogs can suffer from heatstroke or burns on their paws, which, in the worst cases, can even lead to cardiac arrest.
How do you know if your pet is hot? They usually have a decreased appetite, become less responsive to commands, breathe more frequently, and spend a lot of time lying down. If they are severely overheated, they may vomit, have a rapid heartbeat, and faint – in which case you should seek immediate veterinary attention.
Tips for keeping your dog comfortable during the heat
To keep your pet from overheating, follow these tips during the heat:
Reduce the time spent walking, especially for breeds that are sensitive to heat, such as bulldogs or pugs. Walk in the morning or late evening when the temperature is lower.
Ensure your dog always has access to fresh drinking water; take a bottle with you when you go for a walk.
Never leave your dog in a closed car, especially with the windows closed, as this can be fatal to the animal.
When outside, put a wet bandana on your dog or dampen the collar with water.
Avoid walking on hot asphalt to prevent your dog from burning his paws; walk on grass instead.
Brush long-haired dogs regularly.
Bathe your dog more frequently in cool water to help them stay cool.
If it’s hot at home, wet the dog’s paws, ears, forehead, and nose with a damp cloth.
Some owners believe that trimming their dogs in the summer will help them cope with the heat more easily. However, very short fur can be detrimental to species that have an undercoat, which provides natural ventilation and protection from heat. Do not trim huskies, chow-chows, Yorkshire terriers, spitz, Samoyeds, retrievers, German shepherds, labradors, and lapdogs.
Tips for cats during the heat
Hot weather also negatively affects the well-being of cats, who may become lethargic and eat less. Cats with overweight, heart disease, or flat faces, as well as older cats, suffer the most. Here are some tips for caring for your cat during the heat:
Provide your cat with fresh water and change it daily.
Introduce wet food into your cat’s diet or moisten dry food to provide a more appealing option.
Do not leave leftover food in the bowl, as it spoils quickly in the heat.
Do not shave your cat; the undercoat provides ventilation and protects against overheating.
Brush your cat regularly, especially during the shedding period.
Buy special cooling litter for cats.
Don’t neglect games, but don’t play for too long; if the cat starts breathing through its mouth, stop the game.
Protect the room where the cat sleeps from overheating with curtains.
If the cat is hot, wet its paws and belly with water.
In the summer, it is essential to ensure the safety of cats in the apartment, so be sure to put protective nets on the windows to prevent them from escaping.
From the beginning of June, intense heat is expected in Ukraine, with some regions experiencing temperatures of up to 34 degrees. Even rain will not reduce this figure.
