The sunny weather has finally arrived, and while many of us are celebrating that it’s here, it’s important to also remember how dangerous it can be for our pets. Whether your house or apartment is home to a dog, cat, rabbit, or any other small animal(s), extra care must be taken to ensure that they remain cool and hydrated during prolonged periods of hot weather. Another consideration is trying to keep your house clean during a time when your pet is likely to shed the most. In this EZ Living Furniture blog, we discuss the best ways to look after your furry friend and keep your house clean at the same time. So, without further ado, here’s the dog-eared list....
Hydration & Shade Should Always Be Accessible
Arguably, one of the most important considerations when it comes to pets is hydration and shade. When you feel like it’s too warm for you to sit out and enjoy the summer sunshine, then it’s probably too warm for your pet too. By keeping them indoors, you can protect pets from a lot of harm caused by direct heat (i.e. sun damage, dehydration, etc.). You should bring your pet indoors and offer plenty of areas away from the sun/windows, and in the shade. Water bowls must be moved away from direct sunlight, and there should be plenty of them available. RemembRer to also keep topping them up with cold water throughout the day, and/or adding ice cubes to the water bowls to keep the water cool.
Keeping your pet indoors more often than usual can lead to a larger build-up of pet hair. Try to resist using the hoover to clean this up, as this will only add to the heat in the room. Instead, use an old-fashioned brush with a pan to keep your home nice and clean during the warm weather.
Limit Outdoor Activity
If you must exercise your pet outdoors, make sure to avoid the hottest parts of the day (11am-4pm). This timeline is a rough guide, and obviously, it’s important to trust your own judgement and follow weather forecasts to ensure you aren’t putting your pet at risk. Ideally, and if possible, you should try to get out for a walk with your dog/cat as early as possible and/or as late as possible when the sun has gone down, and the temperatures have lowered. Remember to also bring a bottle of water with you and a collapsible water dish on every walk to rehydrate your pet if needed.
Try These Cooling Techniques
If your furry friend favours your bar stools, armchair, sofa, or dining chairs as a place to relax, you can add a pet-specific cooling mat to their surface. Pet cooling mats work by using conduction and convection to draw heat away from your pet’s body. When your dog or cat lies on the mat, their body heat is transferred to the mat, which then dissipates the heat away from them. Alternatively, a wet towel will work just the same, but will need to be swapped out every now and again.
EZ TIP: A mat or blanket is a great way to protect furniture from damage throughout the year, as well as keep pet hair off your favourite items. However, during the hot weather, a blanket can add to your pet’s body temperature, so it’s best to swap this out with a cooling mat.
Invest In A Fan Or Air Conditioning
Air conditioning might seem like a stretch for those living in Ireland or the UK, because it isn’t very often that we experience extreme heat, but for those moments when we do, boy, do we wish we had it. AC might be worth considering in the future, especially since we are expected to experience milder weather for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, you could invest in a plug-in standing fan. Not only will this help to cool you down, but it will also help to keep your pet’s temperature down.
An indoor fan/purifier can help to keep your house clean by improving indoor air quality. Fans and ventilation systems can expel pollutants while regulating temperatures and humidity levels.
Think About Purchasing A Pool Or Sprinkler
Small pools and sprinklers are a great way to keep your pet hydrated. While you might not want to invest in one specifically for your pet, you might come to find that you already have one for your children, and this can double as the perfect hydration station for your pet. Sprinklers are another great option, and contrary to popular belief, they don’t need to be a permanent fixture in your garden. You can purchase sprinklers that can simply be plugged into the nearest outdoor tap and then put away after use. If there are very few areas of shade outdoors, this is a great option, but as mentioned, you should also consider bringing them back inside for the remainder of the day if temperatures continue to rise.
Make A Grooming Appointment
If possible, book your dog or cat in for a grooming appointment before the real heat hits. During this appointment, you can request a shorter-than-usual haircut, which will help to keep your pet cool during the sunny spell. This also means less shedding, which, we’re sure, is wonderful news to your ears because it means less cleaning.
Recognising Signs Of Heatstroke
Early signs of heatstroke are similar in dogs and cats (though in cats it’s often more subtle) and can include heavy panting, excessive drooling, restlessness, increased heart rate, vomiting or diarrhoea. This can lead to lethargy, confusion, weakness or collapse, and even seizures. Heat stroke is very serious and can become a life-threatening emergency, so it’s important to try to cool first, transport second, and also seek veterinary advice immediately once you’ve started some or all of the steps below:
- Take your pet somewhere cool or use a fan to try to cool them down.
- Offer small sips of water (do not force them to drink).
- Pour water of any temperature cooler than your pets' over them. Do not use ice-cold water as this can reduce blood flow to the skin, causing them to shiver and increasing heat generation.
- Combine the previous step with air movement from a breeze, fan, or air conditioning.
- Cold water immersion is also an effective approach for young, healthy dogs.
Additional Safety Precautions
Additional safety precautions must be followed during the hot weather to ensure your pet keeps cool. While we’ve already mentioned some of them, here are others that are worth noting to guarantee your pet’s safety.
- Hot pavements burn paws. If it’s too hot for you to touch, then it’s too hot for your pet’s feet.
- Never, ever, leave pets in a hot car or a hot room. Your pet must always have an exit and be able to access shade and water.
Now that your furry friend is living his/her best life and appropriately cool during the hot spell, it’s time to start shopping for some hydrating treats for them – after all, they deserve it!
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