July has officially arrived, and while we are all enjoying the summer sunshine, our four-legged companions are feeling the heat.
Because dogs and cats can’t sweat like we do, staying cool takes a little extra planning. If you are looking for ways to keep your pets comfortable during summer, here are a few tips to try at home.
Ditch the midday walks: when the sun is high, exercise can quickly lead to heatstroke. Stick to early morning and/or late evening walks when the air and pavements are much cooler. Remember the “five-second rule”: if the pavement is too hot for your bare hand, it’s far too hot for your dog’s paws!
Try freezing plain low-fat yoghurt, dog-safe peanut butter, or sugar-free apple purée onto a textured lick mat. For cats, try freezing the spring water from a tin of tuna into ice cubes. Sniffing and licking actively lowers a pet’s heart rate, helping them calm down and cool off.
Set up a “cool zone” in the absolute chilliest room of your house. Fans are great for circulating air, and access to a cool tiled floor or some cooling mats can really help.
For rabbits and guinea pigs, place bottles of frozen water wrapped in towels around their enclosure to help them cool down.
Make sure your pets have a constant supply of water; you can add a few ice cubes to help cool them off.
Hot weather makes travelling to a clinic incredibly stressful for pets. If your dog or cat is due a routine nail clip, de-matt or hygiene clip, let’s keep them comfortable! I can provide professional care right on your cool living room sofa – skipping the hot car journey entirely.
Have a safe, happy summer! ☀️🐾
Kate Springham RVN
The Pawtable Veterinary Nurse
