Well, it's finally sunny here in the UK, and the more responsible sun worshippers are slapping on sun cream, covering up in direct sunlight and keeping hydrated (that's with water, not booze!). But are they doing the same for their dogs?
Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust, explains:
"Dogs can suffer from sunburn just like us. Facing a higher risk are dogs with white or light-coloured hair, those with short or no hair at all and dogs that have lost hair through allergies or medical treatment."Remember that it is also crucially important not to leave dogs in hot cars. Just twenty minutes waiting in a hot car can prove fatal.
You can keep your dog healthy and happy by following just a few tips:
- Keep him in the shade during the hottest part of the day - preferably ion the cool indoors
- NEVER leave her in the car in warm weather
- Avoid long car journeys in hot weather
- Clip fur and apply pet sun cream to easily burned areas: nose, ears, eyelids and belly. DON'T use human sun cream - it can be toxic so visit your local pet shop and get one made specifically for dogs.
More tips (updated July 2009):
- Be extra vigilant with older and overweight dogs as they are more prone to overheat. In a real emergency wet your dog thoroughly and use a household fan to blow cool air over their head and body. Seek urgent veterinary attention.
- If your dog takes a dip in a lake or pool make sure you rinse him as soon afterwards as possible. Never allow your dog to drink from ponds unless the water is clear as algae in the water can produce toxins that are rapidly fatal.
If your dog shows signs of distress – such as excessive panting, blueness of the tongue or collapse contact your local vet immediately. For more advice on dealing with heat and identifying the signs of heatstroke, please visit the 'heat' section of our website.
12 comments:
Thank you.
It sounds like plain basic common sense but it is amazing how many people don't think of things like this
Cold water on your dogs ears and head can help to cool them down and an old T-shirt slipped on them then soaked in cold water will help bring some relief to an overheating dog.
I live in a very popular tourist area and the number of people who still leave dogs in cars here on hot days is unbelievable! Our local paper reports at least 3 or 4 incidents every summer where police have had to break into cars to rescue dogs. We have fabulous walking opportunities, lots of water to cool off in and many dog friendly pubs and shops so why do people feel the need to leave their dogs in the car whilst they go off and enjoy themselves? Just what do you have to do to get the message through to people!
If you're going out for a little while and leaving your pet - why not add some ice cubes to their water to keep it cool so they've always got a cool drink.
That looks like Cindy from Hampstead Marshall, Berks enjoying her pool? A wonderful branch of the trust. We sponsor Cindy.
i have three labradors and i always in hot weather never take them out in the hottest part of the day and always make sure they have enough water and always get a soaking wet flannel and rub thier faces ears and feet to cool them off these people who leave them in the car while they go to the shops want to be shot it was 26 degrees in my car today and i couldnt stand it x
my dog hates water, you only have to pick up the hose pipe and she runs into the house. So on hot days we soak her doggy towel with water and lay it on the floor foe her to lie on...works wonders :-)
Thank you for your advice. I did not realise that sun cream for humans was toxic for dogs. I have a wonderful lurcher who was left to die as a tiny puppy. He is the love of our lives
i sometimes make my dog up some ice lollies :) i use a tin of meat mixed with either gravy or water and then put soething she really likes into it like sardines or something. split it up into recycled yogurt pots and freeze. makes a lovely treat on a hot day. just be warned the sardines make their breath stink!
Don't forget that conservatory's get hot quickly in summer so don't leave your pet in one when you go out.
i always fill a 500ml pop bottle with water and freeze it so my dog as a nice cool playtoy to play with he loves it i do the same for our rabbit so he has something to lay next to to kkep cool
I am in need of a tip to get my little poodle to drink water. He WILL NOT, however hot he is. When we're out, he wont even drink then. Sometimes, only sometimes, he will drink water with some milk in it.
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