You’re hot ? Imagine then if you had a coat! With this peak of heat, it is important to think of our little companions. Here are ten tips to keep pets from suffering too much from scorching temperatures.
Pets can also suffer from the effects of heat and their bodies are less efficient than those of humans at regulating their temperature: “cats and dogs evacuate heat mainly through their breathing and panting. That’s why that ventilation is very important for them”, contextualizes doctor Jean-Jérôme Ménard, from City Véto Port Marianne. With the high temperatures expected in the coming days, here are ten tips to preserve your companions.
1Choose cool times for outings
Animals are closer to the ground than we are. And the tar quickly rises in temperature, accumulating heat which it releases for hours. During heat waves, it is advisable to “prefer cool hours to take them out”, explains doctor Emmanuelle Bréard, veterinarian at the Aiguelongue clinic, so rather in the evening or in the morning. Which also encourages dog owners to choose shady places to walk, as well as to “Avoid running them or hiking in hot weather.”
2Watch out for pads!
Cats and dogs have small pads on the tips of their paws. And these are fragile, sensitive to high temperatures. Bitumen and some tiles can rise very high in temperature. You should avoid parking for a long time with an animal on this type of surface. “There are creams to apply to the tips of the paws to prevent burns,” completes Dr Bréard. Do not hesitate either to wet their paws before going out or after returning from a walk, to help the temperature to come down.
3Make sure your animals always have fresh water available
Like us, pets need to be hydrated regularly throughout the day. It is therefore advisable to ensure that they always have fresh water available. “You shouldn’t hesitate to change the water very regularly during the day. And offer them a drink regularly, they won’t necessarily think about it”insists Doctor Jean-Jérôme Ménard, of the City Véto Port Marianne in Montpellier.
4Prioritize wet food
And the water bowl is not the only possible source of hydration: “It is possible to slightly wet the croquettes to give them an additional supply of water”, explains Dr. Ménard. It is also possible to give mash, richer in water. who adds: “But for the most sensitive, you must avoid changing your diet too much during this period. Because digestion is often more difficult in hot weather, and you must avoid diarrhea which dehydrates a little more.” Doctor Bréard specifies that it is even possible to add a little water to the mash.
5Provide a cool place
Animals also need respite on these very hot days. Do not hesitate to move the basket to a cooler place: the cellar or the cellar for those who have it. Otherwise, it may be useful to place blocks of ice under the basket or in a towel so that the animal has a cool corner.
6Watch out for the car
You should never leave your pet in a car, even in the shade, even with the air conditioning on! On these scorching days, the temperature can rise very quickly. And the passenger compartment of a car is by definition a poorly ventilated place. If you see an animal in a vehicle, and it seems to you in danger, call the police! Since a 1999 law, they have the right to break into a car in which an animal is in danger.
7Beware of sunburn for white animals!
It’s a little-known danger, but white pets can also get sunburned, and eventually develop skin cancer. White animals have the particularity of having particularly thin skin and therefore vulnerable to the most exposed places: the muzzle and ears in particular. Like children, cats and dogs will not protect themselves from this danger, so it is up to the masters to think about it. And if you really fear for your tomcat’s white ears, “there are specific sunscreens for pets, which can be found in veterinarians’ offices”completes Emmanuelle Bréard.
8Do not hesitate to sprinkle it with water
To avoid heat stroke, it is possible to spray your companion regularly. With a fogger, for the more adventurous:“it is possible to cool them by wrapping them in a damp towel”, explains Dr. Ménard. It is even possible to shower them but be careful not to subject them to a thermal shock with water that is too cold!
9It is possible to mow the belly of your dog
If you want to relieve your canine companion, this can be THE solution: trim (or have it done for the more cautious) the hair on his belly. “The hair is a thermal insulator. A thick layer of hair therefore interferes with heat exchange between the body and the outside“, explains Doctor Ménard. A little waxing, not for the jersey but to allow it to cool down more easily!
10Spot heatstroke in your pet
As with humans, young and old animals are more susceptible to heatstroke. Brachicephalic dogs (those with flat noses, such as bulldogs or boxers) are particularly vulnerable to heatstroke due to their difficulty breathing (breathing is the primary mechanism for regulating temperature in cats and pets). dogs, we remind you). If your pet is completely listless, panting profusely, or fidgeting unusually, he may be suffering from heat stroke. You can monitor its temperature (38°5C in felines as in canines). And if in doubt, call your veterinarian, who will give you the right advice.
