Feeling the Heat
PIA Australia
November 24, 2015
As temperatures soar and the thermostat goes from comfortable to unbearable it’s time to consider some cool innovative ideas to keep your pooch and kitty cool and happy this hot-season. Nadia Crighton uncovers some great tips to help your beloved pets say super cool this summer.
Getting organized now can help immensely during those unexpected blistering hot days. Over the years I have come across some wonderful tips that have allowed me to keep my own dogs and cats super-cool, plus help others battle the heat.
1) Bowls
This can be the simplest of things to do to keep your dog and cat comfortable during the heat. Now is the time of year to keep an eye on where you place the water bowl and what material it is made from. Steel bowls will get very hot when placed in the sun, leaving your dog or cat with a soup of warm water by midday. Try using terracotta bowls and make sure they are in the shade all day, remembering that a bowl in the shade first thing, could be in full sun come Noon. During really hot weather it is also advisable to place a few buckets of cool water in different locations around your yard so your dog is spoilt for choice with cool water.
2) Icy Treats
Start collecting those ice-cream containers! Fill them with water and a few cat biscuits and freeze. Pop them out before you leave in the morning or during the hottest part of the day. Use ice trays for cats. Your dog, and cat, will lick and play with it for hours on end. Keeping them cool and entertained.
3) Cool Spot
Make a ‘cool spot’ available for your dog to lie during the day. Cats are masters at finding a cool sleeping spots, but our dogs will tend to dig at the soil under trees to find a cold spot. You can help them out by squirting their desired area of soil with water before leave for work. This will keep the area cool for them to lie in. Allowing access to cold flooring (shaded of course) is also beneficial.
4) Water Play
If your dog loves water, why not fill up one of those plastic clamshells with a little water? They will paw and splash about cooling themselves down while having fun at the same time.
5) Shade
This is super-important. Your pet must have access to shade through the entire day. Now is the time to monitor exactly how much shade your dogs’ area has. If it’s not enough consider putting up sunshades so that your dog has ample shade during the blistering heat. Removable sunshades are wonderful as you can remove them during the cooler months.
6) Clip Clip Clip
Do you have a dog or cat with a longer coat? Consider clipping them during the hotter months. This will keep them very comfortable and the coat can grow back during the cooler months. Clipping your pet is a great way to keep them cool and happy. Have a chat with your local groomer about the options available to your pet.
7) Exercise
Do not over exercise your dog during hot weather. Consider taking them for a stroll down the beach if they are desperate for a run or waiting until later in the evening when it is cooler. But beware of heatstroke. A hot dog, running after a ball in the park can spell disaster. During the summer months take advantage of those stunning mornings and take your dog for a walk/run before it heats up.
If you are ever concerned that your dog or cat is not coping with the heat, take them immediately to your veterinarian for a check up. Heatstroke can be dangerous and can quick overcome your pet. Always keep an eye out for older and younger pets that can struggle during these hot months. Also; short-nosed breeds and heavy coated ones need to be carefully considered during the warmer months.
A BIT ABOUT THE BLOGGER:
Nadia Crighton is a well-known and accomplished Australian Journalist and pet magazine Editor. As a busy mum of four humans, two dogs, 50 sheep, three cats, a handful of chickens and a goat named Billy, she simply adores pets of all shapes and sizes. These are her personal thoughts and advice from many years of pet-ownership.
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