Tips to help keep your pets healthy and cool during hot weather

Unlike us dogs and cats can only pant or sweat through their paws to reduce body temperature. An obvious starting point is to make sure they have access to a shady area and water at all times! Here are some more things you can do to help keep them healthy and cool:

Just like us dogs, cats and rabbits can get sunburned and suffer from heat stroke, so you must remember to give them a bit of extra care during the hot weather.

Dogs in hot weather

Walk your dog in the early morning and late evening to prevent overheating or dehydration in the heat of the day
NEVER leave your dog in a vehicle on a warm or sunny day. Opening car windows is not enough as the temperature inside can very quickly rise to dangerous levels
If you think your dog is overheating (panting, salivating, lethargic), cool them down as soon as possible. Use cool not cold water – let them paddle in it or drape soaked towels over them. Overheating can quickly become a veterinary emergency, so if there’s no improvement, contact a vet straight away.
Be aware that paving, pavements and sand can be painful for your dog to walk on. Check it. If it feels hot to touch it is not suitable for your dog’s pads.

Cats in hot weather

Cats with white hair and pink noses are more susceptible to sunburn than other animals. Ear tips are at particular risk of developing skin cancer so apply pet friendly sunscreen throughout the summer months
Make sure your cat has constant access to fresh cool water. If you think your cat is not drinking enough, consider introducing a pet water fountain – they are usually more inclined to drink from running water.

Rabbits in hot weather

Keep your rabbits’ enclosure and bottoms as clean as possible. Fly strike can happen very quickly and it takes just one fly to cause all sorts of misery for your bunny
On particularly warm days, wetting bunny ears with a fine mist of cool (not cold) water helps to keep them cool
Freeze bottles of water and place them around the hutch and run for the rabbits to lean on if they are feeling hot.

The best advice we can give is to be aware of your pets additional needs in warmer weather. A healthy pet can rapidly become seriously ill due to heat, so by following these simple steps you can enjoy the summer safely together.

About the Author

Amanda Andersson is a content writer Agria Djurförsäkring in Sweden, specialising in animal welfare. Previous experience includes Volvo on Demand, and 60plusbanken in Sweden.