SUMMER is almost here and pet owners are being urged to help their furry friends stay cool.
Animal Welfare League Queensland shelter vets are asking owners to be extra vigilant over the warmer months.
"Your dog and cat need access to clean, cool water and lots of it," said the organisation's vet doctor Theresia Andersen.
"Water pools are also great for dogs to lounge in and drop their temperature."
Overweight, older pets, long haired animals and breeds with breathing problems, such as Bulldogs and Boxers, are more vulnerable to the heat and can really benefit from having the air con turned on.
"If a dog heat affected try to give it cool water and move it to an air conditioned room," Dr Andersen said.
"If that doesn't work and your dog remains distressed, it's vital that you get it to a vet as soon as possible.
On hot days pet owners should avoid:
- running, cycling or other strenuous activity with your pet during the hottest parts of the day
- leaving their pets in the car. Leaving a pet in the car even with the windows down for a few minutes can cause potentially fatal damage.
- avoid prolonged use of Thundershirts during hot periods as they can trap in heat.
Pet owners should:
- make sure their pets have access to shade and plenty of cool, clean water
- provide pools of water for pets to wade in
- ensure artic breeds and those with breathing issues have air conditioning.
And for a tried and tested way to keep your doggy's temperature down, try vet nurse's Grace Nielsen's popsicle recipe:
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup dry dog food
- couple of biscuit dog treats
- 1 tbps wet food
- water
Method
- Fold in the ingredients and add water to create a mushy consistency
- Place in plastic bowl to half way and freeze
- Once hard top up with water and freeze
- Remove frozen popsicle from plastic container into a safe dog bowl
