Keeping pets safe in a heatwave
Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds all feel the heat. Here’s how to keep them cool.
Hot days are hard on pets, and some feel it far more than others. Elderly and overweight dogs need extra care, and flat-faced breeds like bulldogs, pugs and French bulldogs overheat much faster than most.
Dogs
- Walk only at dawn and dusk, when the ground has cooled.
- Always have fresh water available, at home and on walks.
- Brush regularly to thin out heavy coats.
- A shaded paddling pool is a great way to cool off. Use tepid water, not ice-cold.
- Take extra care with elderly, overweight and flat-faced dogs.
Cats
- Keep air moving through the home.
- Put out several bowls of fresh water. Some cats prefer running water.
- A cooling mat gives them somewhere comfortable to lie.
- Groom long-haired cats to help them stay cool.
- Keep food and water bowls apart, which encourages cats to drink.
Rabbits and guinea pigs
- Move hutches into permanent shade.
- Check for fly strike twice a day.
- Wrap a frozen water bottle in a cloth for them to lean against.
Birds
- Move cages to the coolest room in the house.
- Give fresh water for drinking and a shallow dish for bathing.
- Use a fan to circulate air, but never point it straight at them.
- Partly cover the cage for shade, while leaving room for air to flow.
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