Hot Weather and Pets.

[bluemoon]

As I've said elsewhere, even reasonably hot weather makes me miserable, irritated and depressed, but I'm currently thinking about our even less fortunate family members - those who have fur and feathers. We make sure all our animals have a second water supply, just in case one is knocked over (or evaporates!) while we're out. The dogs have some nice shade in the garden and the rabbit hutch is in a spot which shelters him from sun in summer and wind in winter. We've planted a couple of fruit trees by the chicken run in the hope that one day they'll give shade, but until they're established I've put up a beach wind-break to shade part of the run.
I was told by our vet that you're more likely to lose an animal to heat-stroke in summer than you are to cold in winter, so any other tips for keeping pets cool?

[allotmentlady]

our chihuahuas are a bit off their food with the heat, they get too hot outdoors so we keep them in the lounge with the curtains closed, keeps the room nice and cool.......tips for keeping them cool



First, consider keeping your pet with a friend, relative or service when it's too hot. Most people turn off fans or air conditioning when they go to work and forget that their pet is affected, too. Keeping them with company is best to making sure they are comfortable.

If you must leave your dog alone, make sure they have plenty of cold water and shaded space. If possible, leave a fan on for them or even the air conditioning, even if you keep it on low.


Make sure your dog is properly groomed. That extra hair may look cute, but it's also like a blanket to them if it's not properly cut. One to two inches is appropriate for keeping your dog cool but also preventing sunburn.


Only engage in active play when it is cool out. While it's tempting on a hot day to go for a run or toss a disc around, sometimes it's too much for your dog. You can still enjoy these activities - just after the sun starts to go down or before it's highest in the sky.


Always have cold water on hand. You wouldn't deprive yourself of water, would you? Your dog is just as thirsty.


Cover up or protect all the areas you would on yourself. If you would protect your skin from sunburn, make sure to cover your dog's too (most likely with shade). Also, you would never walk on blacktop without shoes, so make sure to let your pet walk on concrete or grass instead of the hot stuff.


Never, ever put your dog in an unventilated location. For most people, this means the car. Whether it's for a minute or an hour, any amount of time in high temperatures is dangerous.

Be mindful of signs of discomfort in your dog. If he's panting or being lethargic, he may be overheating. Alleviate the heat on his as soon as possible.

love mo x

[jackie j]

Our cat spends most of her time in the garden plenty of shade but where does she sit ? in the sun lol. or the other day I put a blanket down for me to lie on and she sat right in the middle lol. At the moment she is stretched out beside me on the couch, she doesnt like the fan too much. All the windows are open and all the inner doors as well as the back door, still no brezze. She has water by her food and water outside. As long as they have acsess to water and shade not a lot you can do, they will find somewhere cool to sleep.

[OverWyreGrower]

I have a breed that doesn't do well in extremes of temperature, so the main points for me are:

1) Plenty of fresh, clean, cool water
2) Exercise only first and last thing, as early and late as possible
3) Pay special attention to feeding times. Large, deep chested dogs are prone to bloat, so my dogs get a cooling off period before eating and a minimum of 1 hours rest after eating before going back out.
4) Actively moving them from the direct sunshine! They will lie in the sun, overheat and not move, so I keep an eye on them
5) Keep the blinds in the kitchen closed, but the windows open.... fresh air but no direct sun

[quark1]

Its not just our domestic animals who will be suffering in this heat.

This time of year I always leave a couple of bowls of fresh water out - not only for my cats/dog - but also the local foxes and other small creatures who have no-one to care for them in this weather.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Lots of excellent advice - espesh from Allotment Lady. Many thanks.

[coreopsis]

Our dog's tip to stay cool:bury himself under his duvet,not to be bothered by anything or anybody except the postman...

[NOG]

I have shaved the cats to keep them cool......but they now look like mongouse.

Only Joking in case you phone the RSPCA....I just spraye them with the hose.....

Strange all the black cats we have had love the hose.....RAZ lays on the lawn and runs and dives at the nose nozzel. and keeps doing it.

[MaureenHall]

I've had a golf umbrella over the chicks run, as well as it being in the shade (most of the day) and a cardboard box for them to shelter in too. The other chickens have spent most of the day under the hedge, in the pampas grass or in the coops. I've also put out 2 extra buckets of water. Not much else I can do really

[Madame Mucksprout]

Lets not forget our Scaley friends too.

My 50 litre fishtank has increased in temp by 4 degrees in little over a day or so - purely on the ambient temp of the room, My tropical fish and frogs were too hot! so any cold water fish would be really feeling it.

Ways to cool a tank (steadily to avoid shock) -
~A small bottle frozen water floated in the top (only if tank is large enough)
~Definatly lift the lin and turn off lighting
~Point a fan to blow over the surface of the water to cool it (Most effective in long run I found).

Remember that warm water holds less oxygen than cooler water so try to increase oxygenation (turn up bubbles, re-direct sprays to disturb surface etc).

Anyreptiles will need to be kept an eye on, although they should already have an adequate heat differentiation within thier vivariums its always a good idea to keep an eye on the temps as they may be in thier coolest area and still hot - with nowhere to go.

On the furry side of things - our Maincoon Cat (a very hairy boy), over-heats at the drop of a hat, we have invested in a "Furminator" and suprisingly it is doing a spectacular job of removing loads of undercoat whilst leaving the coloured hair intact. Id definatly reccomend it.

[kirsty b]

Doing all these things, chook run has tarp over half of it to shade it and I'm taking them double the normal amount of water. The shed where the broodies are can get quite warm, so I am going in there and making sure they drink daily and that they take a decent amount down when they do. So far so good.
Tropical tank in Laurens room is shaded as the lazy little beggar never opens her curtains, but in this weather its keeping her room cool. His lordship's marine tank is fine as living room tends to stay fairly cool and tank is well away from the window.

[Mac]

Thanks for all the tips posted here folks. My cross flat-coat is not enjoying this weather at all. Away to invest in a fan or air con unit. Any recommendations (not hugely expensive as just had to get car fixed!!!).

[snohare]

If you're putting a tarp over a run, the best way (so I have been told) is to do it at an angle. This creates a sail effect, which catches air movement and causes cooling turbulence below; in still weather the heating air rises up from underneath and it actually starts a draught. Invented by the bedouin with their encampments I believe.
We used to have a dog that would always lie in one specific spot on sunny days, full in the sun. Eventually we worked it out - moister earth there kept him cool.

[allotmentlady]

Thanks for all the tips posted here folks. My cross flat-coat is not enjoying this weather at all. Away to invest in a fan or air con unit. Any recommendations (not hugely expensive as just had to get car fixed!!!).

Sainsburys homebase, air conditioning unit 99.00 a bargain!

[Mac]

Thanks Allotmentlady, I've had a look on the Sainsbury's website, but can't find any air conditioning links. Can you only buy it instore? (we don't have a very big Sainsbury's in Aberdeen