The strain of September’s heat is a burden to anyone who spends more than 10 minutes in action per day. Whether it’s a trip to the supermarket, a drive to visit your family or even a simple journey to the second floor of your house, it’s a struggle. The entire summer takes its toll on your body and, come September, the humidity just gets to you in an intensified way.
But it’s not just us homo sapiens who deal with the battles of the heat; our furry friends get knocked down a peg or two during this freaky hot month. There are many signs to look out for to make sure your pets aren’t in a vulnerable situation caused by extreme heat that can lead to heatstroke.
When your pets’ normal body mechanisms fail to keep their body temperature at a safe range, they run the risk of getting sick and experiencing some of the following:
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea or vomiting of food or liquids
- Rapid panting and a panicked look
- Reddening skin inside the ears and the gums
- Thick saliva and dizziness
- Depression or coma
The younger they are, the more difficult it will be for them to control their biological thermostat. This, of course, reoccurs when they age too - just like us human beings!
But of course, dear pet parents, this can all be avoided or quickly attended to with the following tips:
- Avoid hot areas without too much shelter - if your doggo’s out enjoying the summer, make sure there’s some sort of shade for them to relax in when it gets too hot to handle. If it’s a cat you’re worried about, just make sure not to lock your kitty in the garden at any point.
- Fluffy friends should take a visit to the groomer, get their hair done and any extra fur that could increase their feeling of discomfort removed. And, a trip to the vet is never a bad move if you’re slightly worried about your aging pets.
- Take your dog for a swim, grab a wet cloth and wipe your cats down. Spray a little water on your birds or even create a damp area for them to relax in. Cooling mats are also a great idea, as well as iced up water bowls, which are fun and beneficial.
- Parked cars, closed up rooms and stuffy areas should be avoided. Your pets will pant into oblivion and find it really hard to snap back into shape. You will need to cool them down gradually.
- Avoid extreme temperatures; keep your pets out of direct sunlight from 12pm - 4pm or when the sun’s extremely harsh. Test the temperature of the ground with the palm of your hand - if it’s too hot for you, it’s surely too hot for your beloved pets.
Heat stroke, heat exhaustion and other heat related problems are extremely serious for short-muzzled dogs like French Bulldogs, Pugs or Boxers - if you’re worried about your pets, be sure to contact your vet.