Hi everyone,
With the temperatures rapidly climbing here in the UK we thought it was important to share some of our old guides on hot weather tips for cats and a new one from our friends at CATS Protection.
Let’s start with the CATS Protection video which highlights some very important tips for this time of the year:
Now let’s look at some of the resources we’ve already posted in the past.
First of all let’s start with some general advice that we had listed here previously.
1) Water: It is vital that dogs and cats have a constant access to fresh water. If you are out, make sure there is plenty of water to last until you return; for example you could buy a bigger water bowl or place more than one around the house. Additionally, if your dog is out and about with you, make sure you take water and a bowl with you;
2) Shade: Dogs and cats can overheat very quickly as they only sweat through their feet pads. To help regulate body temperature, dogs will pant. If your dog is outside or panting ensure they have a cool place to go. Remember, brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs cannot pant as effectively which can make it harder to cool themselves down;
3) High temperatures: When the temperature reaches anything above 30 degrees we would not advise taking pets outside. They should remain inside, cool, with plenty of fresh water;
4) Cooling: If outside in the garden, use a water sprinkler or shallow bathing pool for your pets to cool themselves down;
5) Exercising: Dogs need to be walked but save these for early in the day and the evening when the air is cooler and choose shaded areas to walk;
6) Cars: Never leave your dog or cat in the car, even if the windows are left open. The temperature inside the car can very quickly double that of the outside air temperature;
7) Check on them: When the temperatures are warm, you should check on your dogs and cats often. If there are any signs of being too hot, make sure they are moved to a cool area and have access to water. If any heavy panting or signs of heatstroke continue, contact your vet.
The other important advice that many people forget about is the fact that our poor kitties too can get sunburns! For the full advice on cats and sunburns check out this advice.
We hope you found all of this useful and will share this with your friends to ensure our fur friends are safe this summer. 🙂
Thanks,
Marc
Very relevant advice for our region on the West Coast, where we’re getting 100+ F temperatures all this week. Someone actually left their dog locked in the car while they went out for brunch; they thought, just because the car was parked inside a covered garage, the dog would be okay. When an emergency crew was called by a concerned observer, they found that even in the shade the temperature inside the car was 120 degrees! I think the rule of thumb should be, if it’s too hot for you to be in a particular place, it’s too hot for your cat or dog as well. And with that, I’m turning on the AC for Sunny, who is comfortably napping indoors this afternoon. 🙂
I wish we had AC but all we’ve got is a fan which both of our cats are napping in front of all the time atm ???
And let me know if you ever fancy doing a guest post. 🙂
Thank you! I’ll try to think of something appropriate to Katzenworld!
Looking forward to it. 🙂
Pingback: cats meow?? | meanlittleboy2
Our little lad’s been struggling a bit with the heat. We’ve bought a cool mat from the B&M store, only cost a fiver! We’re coaxing him onto it with the aid of treats. We keep a fan going & he enjoys the feel of it on his fur. If only our furry friends could unzip their fluffy onesies & get some air. Here’s some links: http://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/pet-cooling-towel-324263
http://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/pet-cooling-mat-small-300583
http://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/pet-cooling-mat-large-324539
Pingback: Cool for cats: How to keep your cat cool in Summer – Katzenworld | RoseyToesSews
One of our cats, a Norwegian forest cat named Balthazar, always has trouble with the summer warmth. He has insanely thick fur and from may to september each year he abhors the sun. Even when he stays in the shade he’ll often end up panting, looking absolutely miserable. To help him we have for the past couple of years started cutting the fur off all over his belly, and halfway up his sides. Looks funny but it really helps. When that’s not enough, during the super hot summer days when it’s obvious that he really is badly affected by the heat, we water him! While he doesn’t enjoy being brought into the shower and soaked right through with water, it keeps him much cooler for the hours to come. Another alternative we sometimes use is taking cooling blocks from the freezer and place then strategically where he can cuddle them. You can just see the relief on his face when finding the cold!
Poor boy. One of my friends has a main coone with the same problem and she actually gets him a “lion cut” so shaved all over apart from the head and rough and the tip of the tail. It looks quite hilarious and I’m sure he is not happy about looking like a circus animal but it really does help him with the heat.
Oh and we reviewed a cooling mat this Friday which might be useful in the heat as well! Our two love lying on it as it keeps them cold.
P.S: if you’d like to write a guest star feature for Balthazar let us know. ^^
Pingback: Katzenworld publishes latest guide on How to keep cats cool in the Summer - Press Release Rocket
Pingback: Cool for cats: How to keep your cat cool in Summer — Katzenworld | lepapillondeslivrescerclerenevigo