The sun has finally come out and Donegal charity Animals In Need have offered the following advice to ensure that your pets enjoy the warm weather safely too.
Dogs in cars – Every summer dogs die from heatstroke, most commonly when left inside a parked car. Within minutes the temperature inside a car can rise by up to 20 degrees above that outside, turning the car into an oven that bakes the dog from the inside out.
Ventilation – Dogs can’t cope with the heat by sweating like humans do and can only sweat through their paws or by panting. Leaving a car window open isn’t enough ventilation so if you think you’ll have to leave your dog unattended in a car for any time at all, please just leave them at home instead.
Heatstroke – A dog suffering from heatstroke will need urgent veterinary care, but in the meantime, try to lower the dog’s temperature by moving him to a cooler area, wetting the coat and particularly the paws and face and if possible, immerse the dog fully in cool water.
Burnt Paws – To avoid dogs sustaining burnt paws as asphalt pavements soften and melt or from contact with scorching metal or sand, walk them in the early mornings and evenings when it is cooler. If you couldn’t walk along with bare feet, neither should they.
Shade – If your animal spends a lot of time outside, make sure they always have access to a shaded area and plenty of fresh water to drink.
Sunburn – Dogs and cats can suffer from sunburn, especially if they are light coloured or white, and exposed areas such as their nose and ears are particularly at risk. Either keep them inside during the hottest hours or ask your vet for a recommended safe sunblock/cream to use – baby sun cream used sparingly is often fine as long as it doesn’t carry warnings about ingestion but it’s always best to double check with an expert.
Dehydration – Feral cats can become dehydrated during a heatwave as their normal water source dries up, so please consider leaving out a bowl of water for any stray animals or thirsty wildlife that may be actually dying for want of a drink.
