Hot Weather Tips for Pets
As things begin to warm up remember that higher temperatures can be a problem for our furry coated pets! They can get dehydrated very quickly so make sure, there is a cool,shady place they can go to and that there is plenty of fresh water, inside and out-and why not add a few ice cubes on very hot days!
Consider walking your pet in the early morning and evenings, and if the pavements are hot walk on the grass to prevent their pads burning. Use sun cream on white or very pale ears to prevent sunburn, don't leave your pet in a car even with the window open, they can soon overheat.
Brush your pets coat or trim it, but never shave it, thinning the coat will help keep them cool, but their coat covers the skin and prevents sunburn.
If you are enjoying a BBQ with the family, don't be tempted to share your food, any sudden change in diet is bad, and grapes, raisins, onion, chocolate and bones can be harmful.
Keep an eye out for fly strike on rabbits, keep hutches clean and disinfected, the flies lay their eggs in moist or mucky fur, and then the eggs hatch into maggots which feed on your pet's skin, control fly strike immediately with Johnsons Fly Strike, and disinfect with Johnsons Cage and Hutch spray.
Don't forget the wild birds either! keep the bird bath filled for drinking and bathing, and if the ground gets hard, feed mealworms or cheese for ground feeders like blackbirds, robins and thrushes.
If your pet is suffering from drooling, excessive panting, bloody diarrhoea or stupor, it could be a result of the heat, seek help from your vet.
Enjoy the summer!