PETS IN SUMMER - PREPARE FOR THE HEATWAVE: YOU NEVER KNOW
June 2017.
PETS IN SUMMER - PREPARE FOR THE HEATWAVE:
YOU NEVER KNOW?
Doggy-lollies, frozen cat blankets
and a lot of creativity can get pets through a heatwave - and help avoid big
vet bills during soaring temperatures, even if current weather doesnt look
promising.
Pet owners dont always recognise
the symptoms of heatstroke in their cats and dogs, because while humans can do
something about the weather, animals dont always make their discomfort known
until its too late.
"In the UK, it seems unlikely,
but a heatwave could always be just round the corner. If a pet suddenly acts
distressed - whether vocally or with unusually subdued behaviour, then our vets
will tell you its serious," said Mark Effenberg, CEO of Healthy Pets Insurance , the
"To avoid heat distress and
expensive vet visits, theres a degree of doing the opposite of what youve
always believed, a lot of testing of resolve, and enormous creativity to be
employed in keeping your pet cool, comfortable - and even alive - in a
heatwave.
"Weve always been told cats
dont like getting wet, but water plays a great part in their heatwave
wellbeing: even just wetting your fingers and stroking your cats ears will
help cooling, and picking them up them putting them down on a damp towel is
immensely effective - cats can only cool themselves through their ears and paws.
"Dogs are a different matter:
stick a sprinkler on, and theyll go play in the water. Douse them using a wet
sponge, and theyll love it.
Cool cat tips:
1. Put your cats blanket or
favourite sleeping material in the freezer just long enough to deep chill but
not stiffen it.
2. If they have toys they play with
or sleep on, then do the same.
3. Put a wet blanket on the floor
either side of their cat flap or the door they use to come and go.
4. Make sure their drinking water
is chilled.
5. Some cats will eat slightly
chilled pouch food - it all helps.
6. Wet your hands and dampen their ears,
stroke them with wet hands, put them down on a damp blanket paws first.
7. Water the lawn in the areas you
know they use - so their paws get wet.
8. Open windows and close curtains
to create shade and draught.
Hot-dog chillers.
1. Get the garden sprinkler going,
and create shade near it. Your dog may play in the water and then rest in the
shade. But water in the air creates a cooling effect nearby as well. Just
walking in water will help cool a dog.
2. Dont walk your dog if hes
likely to take off at a run. Once hes hot its very difficult to cool him off.
If you do, and he does, try to get him into a safe pond or stream.
3. Put water everywhere - bowls and
buckets in all the places he goes at home, even leave a hosepipe running in the
garden to create a mini flood to play in and drink from.
4. Put out a wet or chilled
blanket.
5. Make doggy-lollies: freeze dog
biscuits in water in either lolly or ice-cube form. They absolute love them.
6. A good old-fashioned fan can
help, but let the dog go to the room where the air is being circulated of his
own accord.
7. Open up what are otherwise no-go
areas if they have a stone or concrete floor. Garages, basements and outhouses
are often cooler.
8. Never leave a dog in a car even
if all the windows are open all the way and theres a breeze going through: it
still heats up like a greenhouse.
Healthy Pets Insurance , the
Healthy Pets Gold Max Benefit |
£202.84 |
Pet Emporium Max Benefit |
£207.84 |
4Paws Max Benefit |
£458.44 |
Tesco Extra Max Benefit |
£397.08 |
![]() |
£202.84 |
With a Maximum Benefit of £7500. |
Data taken online 19/08/2020. Postcode used GU32 3QF
Full comparison page >