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From ice cubes to sun cream. How to keep your dog cool in the hot weather

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How to keep your dog cool in the hot weather

The UK saw its hottest day of the year on Thursday but as Brits enjoy a week of glorious sunshine, those with pets have more to think about than just which factor SPF to apply. 

dog cool in the hot weather

Over-exposure to heat and sunshine can be harmful for animals as well as humans.

Vets Now, a provider of emergency veterinary care, warned that the average survival rate of a dog diagnosed with heatstroke was 50 percent.

The RSPCA said it had received 330 calls in regard to animal welfare and the hot weather since March 23, adding it was expecting “hundreds more” as temperatures increase this week.

Heatstroke, sunburn and dehydration are all things to consider when it comes to caring for your pet.

Here is a list of dos and don’ts to help you keep your dog cool, healthy and happy during the heatwave.

Remember water

If you go for a walk, take a bottle of water so your dog can drink from your hands every hour. If you plan to linger away from home, take a water bowl as well.

Provide ways to cool down

Even if you do not have enough space for a paddling pool or garden sprinklers (although these will go down well!), laying out a damp towel in the shade is a great way to give your pup a quick way to cool down. If you’re dog is looking very hot and bothered, hold an ice cube to the back of his neck.

Groom regularly

Grooming prevents knots building up in your dog’s coat. Matting like this can trap heat and be very uncomfortable during the summer.

Consider buying sun cream

Dogs with thin coats or lightly-coloured fur are the most vulnerable to burning. Speak to your vet about whether your animal needs sun cream. If so, you can pick up specialised creams at most pet shops.

Look out for symptoms of heat stroke

Heatstroke occurs when an animal is unable to reduce its body temperature. It can be fatal.

Battersea Dogs Home has listed the following as symptoms to watch out for:

  • Heavy panting
  • Glazed eyes
  • Rapid pulse
  • Excessive salivation
  • Lack of coordination
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea

If your dog is suffering from many of these symptoms, you need to act fast. Immediately take them out of the sun and help them to cool with wet towels, ice cubes and drinking water.

Don’t:

Leave your dog in a car

Like babies, dogs should not be left in cars. Under the sun’s glare, cars can rapidly reach dangerously hot temperatures with fatal consequences. If you see a dog in a hot car (even in the shade) call 999.

Play high-exertion games

Fetch might not be ideal for dogs who struggle with heat. If your dog seems to be one of them, play around with slow-paced games, like hiding treats for them to sniff out.

Go for a walk in the heat of the day

Avoid the hours around midday for your walk – if you feel the need to wear a hat, that is sure indication your dog will be uncomfortable walking under the glaring sun. Pick a route with a good amount of shade.

Expect your dog to walk on boiling surfaces

Again, if you are tiptoe-sprinting over a surface like hot coal, your dog’s paws are probably burning too. Tarmac and sand can be too much for a dog’s foot pads after a roasting in the sun, so help him or her find another way.

Over-cool your dog

If you do sense your dog is overheating – even if they have severe heatstroke symptoms – be wary over-cooling. Ice baths, for example, could send your pet into shock if its body temperature is very high. Stick to cool towels and single ice cubes. Give them small sips of water rather than enormous gulps.

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Do I need to cut my cat?

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Do I need to cut my cat

Nature provided the cat with everything you need – hunting skills, excellent eyesight and hearing, retractable claws, flexibility and unique grace, functional and beautiful wool. Cats are very clean animals, but can not maintain a neat and healthy coat, especially long – haired cats, on their own.

Cleanliness

In order that the cat’s coat not deliver to it and various other disadvantages and to look good, the owner must periodically perform a series of hygiene procedures. If enough for the owners shorthairs your pet comb several times a week with a brush massage, then owners species long hair need to do this every day with various types of brushes. Bathing a pet with long hair and an inner layer developed also be organized more often than for short hair.

In addition, it is necessary to wash the hair using dry shampoo monthly or special spray, regular application of antistatic conditioners, lotions and balms health of wool. Otherwise, mats, which needs to be cut, and all kinds of skin diseases are formed.

When do I need to cut cats?

No need to cut a pet if there is an opportunity to organize good nutrition, vitamin support for animals and care all stages of their six. Cat grooming is needed in certain cases:

  • – the animal is difficult to tolerate heat due to the wool in bulk;
  • – the cat resists hygiene procedures will not be allowed to be bathed and combed;
  • – Skin diseases;
  • – the presence of mats;
  • – as one of the measures prolonged moulting caused for several reasons;
  • – pedestrian street animal wool adverse weather conditions;
  • – get the wool in the digestive tract, with consequences as vomiting and defecation problems;
  • – participation in exhibitions.

Lack of time to take care of animal hair and regular cleaning of the room, the presence of allergic reactions among family members of the owners or house guests, also among the reasons why the cat owners apply to animal groomers. The list price for haircuts dogs and cats includes decorative and haircuts from a purely hygienic orientation. There are restrictions on the choice of cat hair cuts – even for decorative purposes can not cut off the head, mustache, hair in the ears and the tip of the tail cats.

Effects of cats grooming

After shearing, the condition of the animal ‘s hair may change. The possible consequences of the procedure:

  • – change the structure of wool and skin elasticity of the animal;
  • – wool in the abdomen and back after cutting has a darker shade;
  • – deteriorating adaptation to temperature changes;
  • – Alopecia or all sorts of problems with fouling hair.

To teach cats hygiene procedures and haircut, preferably from childhood. Otherwise, any tampering with the animal ‘s fur can bring great stress for the pet. Do not cut the cat yourself, as it can harm the animal. A hairdresser with experience is able to find an approach to a scared client, so you do not need the use of muzzles, collars and other means to maintain strength for a pet.

Some cats may be cut only with the use of sedatives. Correctly designate the correct means can only be a veterinarian, start your reception should be a couple of days prior to the procedure. In some cases, a haircut can be done only with the use of immobilization of pharmacological medications or under anesthesia. Any anesthesia must be selected and controlled by a veterinarian. Anesthesia has many contraindications and can adversely affect the health of the pet.