Dogs, Cats, Rabbits - How to Help Your Pet Through Hot Days
Not only humans, but also pets can be affected by high temperatures in the summer. Dogs, guinea pigs, or birds should therefore be protected from direct sunlight and always have enough water. Pet owners should follow these tips from the German Animal Welfare Federation and other experts:
Provide plenty of water
Unlike humans, dogs, cats, hamsters, and others cannot cool down by sweating, but rather by panting and drinking. Therefore, sufficient water is crucial to protect the animals from dehydration and a life-threatening increase in body temperature.
Be aware of changing sunlight
Guinea pigs, rabbits, and decorative birds are among the most common heat victims, as their cages or enclosures are exposed to direct sunlight. Pets should always be able to retreat to a shady spot. Keep in mind that the sun's position changes throughout the day. Helpful are shady houses, cool stone slabs, or wet towels over the enclosure. Dogs should not be shaved too short in the summer, as they can get sunburn on hairless areas.
Heatstroke symptoms and when to go to the vet
Lack of shade, fresh air, and enough drinking water can lead to heat buildup in animals, which can quickly result in heatstroke. For example, temperatures of 25 to 28 degrees Celsius can cause collapse in rodents and rabbits. A glassy look, deep red tongue, and panting with extended neck in a dog indicate that it is greatly affected by the heat. Vomiting, loss of balance, and loss of consciousness indicate heatstroke. In cats, this can be recognized by restlessness, increased heart rate and temperature, or the animals lying on their stomachs and panting heavily. In case of these symptoms, go to the vet immediately.
Avoid draft despite heat
Pets need fresh air in the heat, but cages should not be placed in a draft. What makes the heat more bearable for humans can lead to serious illnesses in animals.
Postpone dog walks
In hot weather, walking the dog should be moved to the cooler morning and evening hours and, if possible, to shady parks or wooded areas. The same applies to horseback riding.
Do not leave animals in the car
Animals should never be left in the car while their owners go shopping or have an ice cream. The high temperatures quickly turn the interior into an oven. The consequences for the animal are lack of oxygen, nausea, and circulation problems up to circulatory failure. In the worst case, a painful death threatens. An open sunroof or a slightly open window is not enough to provide cooling, even if the car is in the shade.
Ensure cooling during car rides
Inevitable car rides should be scheduled for cooler daytime and nighttime hours. The transport boxes should ensure good air circulation, and windows should remain open during the ride. A sufficient supply of drinking water and light towels that can be used as cold compresses or cage covers should also be included in the travel gear. Cool packs from the refrigerator can be placed in the box.
Providing birds with a bathhouse, one should frequently change the water. Birds that don't use bathhouses can be gently misted with water.
Gently refill aquariums with cold water
Water in aquariums can dangerously heat up for fish. If necessary, gently refill with cold water.
Watch the video: Pets also suffer from the heat. It's common sense not to leave animals in cars, but there are other tricks to make life cooler for dogs, cats, rabbits, or budgies.
Dogs, like other pets such as cats, hamsters, and various other species, cannot cool down effectively through sweating but rely on panting and drinking to regulate their body temperature. Therefore, it's crucial to always provide them with sufficient water to prevent dehydration and potentially life-threatening increases in body temperature.
Guinea pigs, rabbits, and decorative birds are often heat victims due to their cages being exposed to direct sunlight. Therefore, it's essential to ensure they have access to a shady spot and consider using shady houses, cool stone slabs, or wet towels to help keep their enclosures cool.
