As the temperature rises around the globe and we start to feel the intense heat, we are getting prepared for the summer. Lockdowns are eased and people and communities get together to celebrate the resilience of humanity.

It is time to reflect about what has happened to our world and how we can prevent these situations to happen again, keeping us and our families safe and sound.

Probably lots of you will go down to the beach and your favourite sunny corners, to enjoy a new summer! While a dip in the sea must be mandatory for some of us! We need to step up the care we provide to our furry friends in these special circumstances and keep them healthy and safe and from the scorching heat and some other summery hazards.

Keep your pets cool. With temperatures rising, summer can be an uncomfortable season for our pets. Put yourself in their paws and think how hot you’d feel if you wore a fur coat on a baking hot day!

Your dog, just like you, can suffer from heat stroke. Heat stroke in dogs can develop rapidly with exposure to high temperatures, humidity and poor ventilation. Symptoms to look out for include:

Panting, a staring or anxious expression, failure to respond to commands, warm and dry skin, extremely high temperature, dehydration, rapid heartbeat and collapse.

As a rule puppies and elderly dogs in summer tend to be more susceptible, as do adult dogs recently moved from a cooler climate. Dogs with thick, heavy fur or dogs with an existing cardiovascular or respiratory condition can be affected too. Certain breeds with narrow airways, such as bulldogs, are particularly prone to heat stress. If you’re worried about any form of heat stress, the best course of action is always to seek prompt veterinary attention, helping you to avoid potential complications.

Walk dogs in the morning or evening – before 8am and after 5pm is best. This stops them overheating in the midday sun.

Pavements and sand can get very hot in the middle of the day. They can quickly burn your dog’s paws. Check the temperature of the pavement with your own hand – if it’s too hot for you to hold your hand there for 5 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog!

Never leave your dog in a hot car – it can be fatal.

Always make sure your dog is safely secured in your car. Don’t let them lean out of the window. Their eyes or nose can be injured by debris or small stones kicked up from the road. Pets have also been known to fall out, or be injured by passing vehicles.

 

Be aware of parasites, which can be found at their highest numbers in summer. Ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and more are something that can cause real problems for your pet. Also look out for adders, if your dog could begin to experience breathing issues, this is because an adder’s bite is poisonous and causes swelling, if this happens visit your vet as soon as possible.

Also, when the temperatures rise, the lure of the barbecue is irresistible. Here are our tips for making sure your BBQ is safe and fun for your pet too:

Eating barbecue scraps can upset your pet’s stomach – undercooked or fatty food can make them sick.

Keep leftovers away from them. Pets might be tempted to raid the bin and our vets often have to operate on pets that have eaten things they shouldn’t.

Keep fuel out of reach – it can be fatal for your pet.

Make sure your pet steers clear from flames and glowing embers which could give them severe burns.

Another danger to be aware is dog sunburns. Many believe because dogs have fur, they are not susceptible to sunburn. Some dogs however can get burnt, especially if their hair is light and thin. Some dogs even have no hair at all in areas such as around the nose, and these areas can be easily burnt when out in the sun.

Prevent pet sunburn by slapping on the sun cream and making sure they’ve got plenty of shade and water. Pets with pale fur are more likely to get sunburn and you can buy special sun creams from pet shops.

Alcohol is dangerous for pets, so keep your drinks out of reach of thirsty pets.

In summary, during this sunny period look after your loved ones more than ever.

 

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