Handling your hound (and other animals) in the heat
Ralph the wonder dog with his steady, plastic bowl of water. Good sitting Ralphy!
Animals and heat don’t mix at the best of times, however when we’re talking about 45 plus degree weather, pet owners need to be ultra vigilant. would. In 45 degree heat we’re not talking about simply keeping our animals cool, we’re dealing with a very, very dangerous, deadly situation and it should not be taken lightly.
TIPS ON KEEPING ANIMALS COOL…
*Make sure your animals, especially dogs, have at least two stable water sources.
In this heat we’re dealing with a number of factors that put your animals water levels at risk. Evaporation will mean that your pet loses a good deal of water without actually drinking it. The other issue is that often dogs will either get IN their water or will kick up the water to cool down their chest and stomach. By the time you take these two factors into consideration, you’re water levels are dangerously low. On top of this if your pooch is excitable it can tip water over.
Of course you know your pet’s habits, so you need to adapt accordingly. If your dog kicks up, lies in or tips over it’s water you can use rocks, bricks - whatever in the bottom of the water to keep it stable.
I also recommend keeping water in the shade (of course!) and try using a plastic bowl; stainless steel type bowls will heat up more quickly and hasten evaporation.
*Icy treats and Ice beds
A concoction of meat, rice, vegetables; whatever you can freeze including normal tinned food, bones or kangaroo/beef etc. mince is a fantastic way of keeping your animal cool. As you probably know when you eat a big bowl of ice cream you get cold; same applies to cats and dogs. it really does help regulate their body temperature.
Ice in their drink bowl is also a great idea.
You can also get ice beds and jackets from pet shops (there are excellent ones online) or simply put some ice in a towel and pop it in their kennel/bed.
*Shade
While it might sound obvious, you would be surprised how many calls we receive relating to an animal in full 40 plus degree heat. We get lots of calls about birds especially, so please ensure (especially caged or tethered animals) are in the shade ALL day! Inside is ideal in this weather, especially for birds.
*Extra backyard precautions
We had an unfortunate incident where a very much loved dog managed to get himself into the fenced off swimming pool area. The door then shut behind him and he was unable to get out. We should all learn from this! Make sure sheds, pool enclosures or any such sealed off area is securely shut off to avoid a tragic find when you get home from work.
*Don’t risk taking your animal in a car
Your car could break down, you could get caught up in the shops and the ‘one minute’ milk run turns into ten, etc etc,. The simple message is don’t take your dog out in the car in these exceptional conditions. In 45 degrees they WILL die in minutes, it’s as simple and as scary as that!
*Check ups
It’s an excellent idea to have your neighbour/friend check on your animal in this heat if you’re at work all day. As mentioned above they may have got themselves caught, or they may be really struggling.
*Inside/Out
A heat wave such as this really does bring home the importance of a doggy door/cat door. You will be able to relax much more if you know that you dog/cat can get into the cool laundry or wherever you choose to put the door. They are relatively cheap, and better yet you don’t have to get up every time they need to go to the toilet!
One other tip: If you have a koala in your backyard or have EVER seen one, please put water out for them. The front page of the paper today (Advertiser, Thursday 29 jan) says it all. They need water and it’s the reason they’re in your backyard. ALSO if you have a dog and there’s a koala in your yard, take him or her inside. Koalas have huge claws, and dogs get territorial so it will most probably end badly for both animals.
Thanks!
If anyone has anymore questions please let me know
Thanks,
Aimee
7 comments January 29th, 2009
