During the summer, you should take care to keep yourself cool – and your animal friends too.
"If it's too hot for us, then it's definitely too hot for them," says Dr Phillip An, a vet. He says pets – especially cats and dogs – do not have as many sweat glands as humans. Instead, they keep cool by panting.
But putting your pet in hot conditions can lead to trouble.
"Dogs can be so loyal that they won't show any discomfort until it's too late," says Dr Jennifer Hawkins. "So if you're throwing a ball for your dog on a hot day and you feel OK, your dog may keep running after that ball until they get heatstroke."
Some pets which feel the heat are short-nosed dogs, because they cannot breathe as easily as dogs with longer noses. Small mammals like rabbits and guinea pigs can also get ill from the heat.
Here's how to keep them cool and how to spot signs of heatstroke.
1. Never leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle
Experts say that you should leave your dogs – or any pet – at home on hot days.
If you must bring your pet along with you, never leave them alone inside a vehicle. Temperatures can quickly rise inside a parked car.
2. Exercise at cooler times
Many humans choose to exercise in the morning when it is cooler outside, or in the evenings when the sun is setting. This is a good idea for pets as well.
Take your dog for walks at the coolest times of the day. This is important because the pavement can quickly heat up. If a dog walks on a hot surface, it can burn their paws.
"That can be very painful for them because then they're walking around with blisters on their paws," says Dr Julio Lopez.
3. Provide enough water for your pet
While it is always important to have water ready for your pet, it is vital on hot days.
If you are taking your pet outdoors, it is wise to bring more water than you think you need. And make sure they get a drink before you go out.
4. Keep your pets in the shade
Whether your pet is inside or outside your home, many vets say it is best to keep them in cool, shaded areas. Cages for rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters should not be in sunlight.
Putting a cold or frozen water bottle in the cage can help keep pets cool. "A simple fan, and using the shade, are great ways to keep pets comfortable," says Jennifer.
5. Watch out for heatstroke
Heatstroke can be dangerous. It usually happens when a pet's body temperature goes above 40 degrees. Signs include a lot of panting and drooling, pale gums (no longer a pink colour), vomiting and tiredness.
If your pet shows any of these signs, you should call a vet for advice. In the meantime, you can put cool water on parts of their body (belly, armpits and paws) and move them to a cooler place.
Fun facts
Before taking your dog for a walk, check the ground for hotness with one of your hands. If you can’t keep your hand on the ground for three seconds, it’s probably too hot to walk your dog!
Quick questions
- Where should you keep a cage for a rabbit or hamster?
- When is a sensible time to exercise outdoors?
- Why do cats and dogs pant to keep cool?
