The sun can be fun, but our pets need to keep it cool

Glorious sunny days give both people and pets a much-needed boost. However, it also means taking precautions as scorchingly high temperatures can cause all sorts of problems for our pet friends.

Burgess in-house vet Dr Suzanne Moyes, MVB, MRCVS, advises: “All pets need protection in hot weather, but this is particularly important if you have flat-faced dog breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs and Shih Tzus, Persian cats, Netherland Dwarf and Lionhead rabbits. High temperatures can also seriously affect pets with very thick fur, old or very young pets, overweight pets, pets with breathing or lung problems or pets on certain medication.”

Animals find it harder to cool down

Unlike us humans who have sweat glands all over our bodies to help us regulate our temperature, animals lack the ability to cool themselves down as easily, which is why blazing hot weather can really affect them. Dogs and cats only have a few sweat glands around their noses and in their feet and rely on panting to cool themselves down. Small pets – such as rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets – don’t sweat and can’t pant, and so find high temperatures even more difficult.

Veterinary charity PDSA says: “The summer is a fabulous time for our bunnies, but the warm weather can also bring the risk of heatstroke, so it’s important to keep your bunnies cool. This is especially important for flat faced, long haired, and overweight bunnies that might find it a bit more difficult to regulate their body temperature. Overheating in guinea pigs is very dangerous, so it’s always important to take extra care in the warmer months to help keep them cool.” The British Small Animal Veterinary Association advises: “Ferrets do not have well developed sweat glands and this, combined with the thick coat, makes them susceptible to heat stress and heatstroke.”

Find out everything you need to know about heatstroke including the signs to watch out for and what actions to take here >>

6 TOP TIPS ON HOW TO HELP PETS HANDLE THE HEAT

1. Keeping your pet at a healthy weight is a great way to help them during hot weather – being heavier than they should makes it harder for them to stay cool. Check out our advice on how to get your plump pet pals back on track >>

2. Regular grooming is really important. Brush long-haired cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs daily as matted fur traps heat. Medium-haired breeds will need brushing a few times a week to remove the dead hairs. Short-haired breeds will just need a weekly going over. If it looks like a prolonged heatwave has set in, some pets may benefit from a summer trim.  

3. Pets need to stay hydrated and should have constant access to clean, cool water. One way to encourage pets to drink more – particularly cats who often turn their fussy feline noses up at a still bowl of water – is a pet water fountain. Ferrets are likely to enjoy this too.

4. Never, ever leave a pet in a parked car unattended, even for a short while. Leaving a window open or a sunshield on windscreens won’t keep your car cool enough. The RSPCA says: “Many people think it's ok to leave their dog in the car if they're parked in the shade or the windows are open. But a car can become as hot as an oven, even when the weather doesn't feel that warm. When it's 22 degrees Celsius outside, the car could reach an unbearable 47 degrees within an hour. It's very dangerous and will cause your dog suffering and harm.”

5. Don’t accidently shut pets in. Just as with cars that can become incredibly hot within minutes, the same rule applies to caravans, conservatories or outbuildings. Before you shut and secure doors, ensure your pet hasn’t wandered inside without you noticing. Cats Protection has a handy ‘Look before you lock’ door hanger to remind you.

6. A day out or time at home? if you’re planning a fun day out, it’s tempting to want to take your dog with you. However, spending prolonged periods of time in the sunshine without shade poses a really serious risk to your canine companion. The RSPCA advises: “Whilst your dog may look disappointed that you're leaving them at home for a few hours, it really is in their best interest on a hot day. As long as they have managed to have a dawn or late evening walk and you're not leaving them for longer than four hours they should be happy either napping or with some things to do. Preparing a Kong with mashed banana or dog food and then freezing it is a great long-lasting treat for a hot day. Lick mats are also a helpful addition as dogs also take comfort in licking. You might even want to hide some treats around the house.”

Read on to discover more expert tips for helping dogs, cats and small furries cope with high temperatures...

HOW TO HAVE A CHILLED-OUT CANINE CHUM DURING THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

Your dog walking routine may run like clockwork, but on hot days, it’s time to switch things around. Between noon and 3pm, as well as the fiery rays of the sun to contend with, pavements can be hot enough to burn paws. Veterinary charity PDSA suggests:

• Walk early or late ­­and avoid taking your dog out during the hottest part of the day – early mornings and evenings will be much more comfortable.
• Encourage your dog to slow down by setting a slower pace and giving them plenty of time to sniff out exciting smells with their nose.
• Be wary of hot pavements and roads ­­– hot surfaces can really hurt your dog's foot pads, particularly tarmac or sand.
• Keep to shady areas and plan your walks to include places where there’s shade.
• Take two or three short walks throughout the day, instead of one long one.

Cool spaces are ideal for a nice lie down, so make sure your dog has a shady spot in the garden to rest in. Trees and shrubs create natural shade, but you can also hang a tarpaulin or put up a gazebo. Create a chill out room indoors with a fan and some cool, damp towels for your dog to lie on. Provide some dry food inside food puzzles or treat balls to keep your dog stimulated without too much exertion.

You could also shop for some cool stuff that’s designed especially for pets – from pet cooling mats and pads, which automatically cool when your dog sits on them, to cooling vests and neck gaiters. A dog paddling pool can also provide a fun space to cool off in the garden. Even a humble washing up bowl filled with water will give your dog the opportunity to cool off their paws – just watch out for the splashes! 

KEEPING IT COOL FOR CATS

• Providing shelter from harsh rays is vital for notoriously sun-seeking cats. If your garden doesn’t have much natural shade then it could be worth investing in a large, free-standing parasol or a ‘pop up’ sun shelter. Encourage your feline friend to seek out these shady areas by placing a familiar blanket down for them. 
• Try to keep your cat indoors during the hottest times of the day – usually between 11am and 3pm. Also apply a pet sunscreen (not a human one) to the nose and ear tips of pale-coloured cats. Although their fur provides a little protection, just like us, cats can suffer from sunburn and, in some cases, sun damage can lead to skin cancer.
• Keep a room in your house cool and well-ventilated by drawing curtains and opening windows if there’s a breeze, so your cat has a cool, comfy place to rest. Let your cat choose a cool place to lie down – they’ll naturally gravitate towards a slate floor, the kitchen sink or by a fan in summer.
• To encourage your feline friend to stay in out of the heat give them some indoor activities to do. For example, cats love to climb and hide, so getting a cat activity centre or even a selection of cardboard boxes will be a fun distraction. Adding some toys that contain dried catnip, puzzle feeders filled with tasty dry cat food nuggets, and intriguing cat water fountains will keep them entertained. Specially grown cat grass can add some welcome variety to your favourite feline’s indoor environment.
• Don’t worry if your cat seems to be grooming more than usual. This is a cooling mechanism similar to sweating – as the saliva evaporates off their fur, your cat will cool down. We always knew that cats are clever!

SMALL FURRIES NEED EXTRA HELP FROM THEIR HUMAN ON HOT DAYS

In the wild, during hot spells, small pets would naturally seek shady spots and the safety of their cool burrows.

PDSA advises: “During the warmer months, wild rabbits spend the hottest part of the day underground in their nice, cool burrows, coming out to feed in the mornings and evenings when the day is cooler. If your bunnies live outside, it’s really important that you keep their enclosure out of direct sunlight. If your garden doesn’t provide much shade, you can make your own by draping a tarpaulin or towel over part of your rabbits’ run. Trees, parasols, sun umbrellas and DIY sun shelters also make the perfect shaded spots.”

Animal charity Woodgreen recommends moving outdoor enclosures – including hutches and runs –  to a shaded part of your garden if possible. Don’t forget the sun will move throughout the day so keep an eye on them to make sure they’re not exposed. Other expert tips include:

• Try draping well-rung out cold wet towels over hutches or cages to cool them down. Be wary of plastic guinea-pig igloos as these can become very hot in the summer and are best replaced by an alternative hidey-hole such as a cardboard box with an entrance and ventilation holes cut into it or willow tunnels.
• Replenishing your hutches with fresh, fluffy piles of hay is a great tip from Wood Green as this will allow your rabbits and guinea pigs to burrow inside to keep cool. For rabbits, some cold, damp tea towels to lie on can also provide some welcome relief.
• To cool down hot rabbits and guinea pigs, try gently stroking their fur with a cool, damp flannel – with bunnies, carefully damp their ears too, as this is the part of their body that they lose heat from. As the water evaporates, it will provide a cooling effect.
• Cooling mats can provide a refreshing snoozing spot, but if your rabbits are mischievous little nibblers, ceramic tiles from your local DIY store are a good alternative. Animal wellbeing charity Blue Cross suggests: “Marble tiles or slates are brilliant to introduce into a run and keep it cool so your rabbits can lie on it if needed. Be careful to ensure the tiles remain in the shade, though, as the tiles can become extremely hot if placed in direct sunlight.” Ice pod is an innovative product that’s suitable for rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets. Simply place the frozen Ice Pod in your pet's hutch, run or favourite hiding place and they’ll love lying on its snuggly shape.
• Make your own small pet coolers from litre plastic bottles, three-quarters filled with water and popped in the freezer. These can be placed under a towel or inside a sock so that your rabbit or ferret can lean against them. PDSA says: “The bottle will be very cold, so it’s important to make sure that it’s safely wrapped or placed against the outside of their home, so your rabbits or guinea pigs can’t burn their skin.” Keep a close eye so that no chewing ensues.
• Never be tempted to give rabbits or guinea pigs a cool bath. PDSA advises: “A refreshing dip in a cool pool may sound appealing to us as the sun blazes down, but your guinea pigs don’t feel the same way. Never place your guinea pigs directly into cold water – not only is bathing very stressful for them, but it can also cause their small, sensitive bodies to go into shock.”
• Make sure your small pets’ enclosure has plenty of airflow to provide a nice breeze. Wood Green suggests that if your rabbits or guinea pigs are housed in a converted shed, large hutch or indoor room and it’s safe to do so, it might be worth putting on a fan. Just make sure any wires are tucked away or covered using cable pipe protectors so they can’t nibble through them.
• Water is great for cooling ferrets down as most enjoying playing in it. Try putting a shallow bowl of water in your ferret’s cage for them to take a cool soak and splash about in, as well as putting some ice cubes in their drinking bowl to provide a cooling drink. You could also try putting some cool water in a spray bottle to give your ferrets a light misting – but avoid getting their bedding wet.
• Clean your small furries accommodation more regularly in warm weather to reduce the risk of flies and unwanted insects being attracted to them and to avoid flystrike – a painful, sometimes fatal condition caused by flies laying eggs that hatch into maggots and eat their host’s flesh. Remove any uneaten vegetables as soon as possible, as these can start to rot in the warmer weather attracting flies to your runs and hutches.
• Fresh water should be supplied morning and evening in water bottles and bowls – be extra-vigilant about evaporation. If your pets’ water bottle is turning green with algae, then it is important that you scrub it clean and disinfect it with hot water and white vinegar before rinsing it thoroughly. If you can’t remove the algae, then throw the bottle away and buy a new one. PDSA advises: “Hot weather can also cause the water in your small pets’ bottles or bowls to go warm, so think about changing their water frequently throughout the day to ensure it stays lovely and cool.”

Follow our top tips and both you and your pets will be all set for a long, hot summer of fun!

LOVE PETS? TRUST BURGESS – WE’RE EXPERTS IN OUR FIELD!

Burgess Pet Care is one of the UK's leading pet food manufacturers for the country’s most popular pets – dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus, hamsters, gerbils and mice, rats and ferrets.

At Burgess Pet Care, all our high-quality recipes have been formulated by vets and nutritionists. This ensures they contain the right balance of vitamins and minerals to help keep them happy and healthy. With a long tradition of supporting British farmers, we actively source all our ingredients as close to our mill as possible.

For helpful feeding advice, call our expert team on 0800 413 969. They’re available 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, use our online form to get in touch.

CARE MORE Find lots of useful advice on caring for all your pets from Burgess, the pet experts. Training, nutrition, grooming and general care. It's all here >>

Is your dog a Burgess dog? Your cat a Burgess cat? Your small pets Burgess small pets? Join the Burgess Pet Club for exclusive offers and rewards.

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