Meet Nick Lindsay, our resident pet expert from Pawpairs. He urges all pet owners to be vigilant, as – even if the wave of record temperatures has passed – the summer season can be deceivingly dangerous to pets of all types (not just dogs). Here are some of Nick’s summer safety tips:

• Don't let pets sit out in strong sun, or leave hutches, runs or cages in direct sunlight (or next to a window). Make sure there is always access to shade.
   

  

• Fishponds and aquaria can get very hot in the summer – check regularly and make sure the pond has a shaded area.

   
• Rabbits are prone to maggot infestations (known as flystrike) in the summer. Flies are attracted to dirty fur and lay their eggs, which hatch in to maggots. To prevent this life-threatening condition, check a rabbit’s bottom at least twice daily. If their bottom is dirty, clean it gently with a damp cloth. If you spot any maggots call your vet as soon as you can.
  
   

  

• If you have a long-haired pet, get their fur trimmed to prevent them from over-heating.
   
• To keep small furry pets cool: freeze a (nearly full) bottle of water. When frozen, wrap in a towel. Lie the bottle down by the side of your pet’s cage, next to the sleeping area. DON’T put the bottle in the cage as it can cause leaks and make the pet too cold.
   
• Make sure pets have access to plenty of clean, fresh water at all times.
   
• Food can go off very quickly in the heat, so discard any leftovers to avoid flies.
   
• Take extra care if transporting pets in hot weather – keep windows open or turn on the air con. If you do have to transport your pets, carry a few cold water bottles with you and a (non-spill) bowl. You can also buy cooling mats / vests for dogs.
   
• Never leave pets in your parked car for longer than a couple of minutes, even with windows open. You may be delayed and temperatures can soar dangerously high in minutes (see table below), causing potentially fatal heatstroke. If a dog’s body temperature reaches 42.8 degrees Celsius it is usually FATAL!

• Where possible, walk dogs in the morning or evening, or at least try to avoid walking them midday. Dogs – especially those of the brachycephalic or “squashed face” breeds (e.g. Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pekingese, Boxers and Shih Tzu’s) – can over heat surprisingly quickly!
   
• Know the signs of heatstroke: extreme thirst; excessive panting; extreme/thick salivation and vomiting; bright red tongue and pale/blue gums; increased heart rate; weakness/fatigue; disorientation and collapse.  If this happens, gradually cool your pet’s body temperature with cool (not cold) water, such as wrapping in wet towels (change frequently), and call your vet for further advice.

Summer is a time for sunshine, fun and holidays. We would just like people to be aware of the dangers to both dogs outdoors and/or those pets left at home in the heat. The team at Pawpairs are fully aware of all these dangers and, should you require any help from us or if you’re going away for that well-deserved summer holiday and need to leave your pets behind in the hands of a trusted, reliable and experienced “Pet Au Pair”, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!

Find out more about Pawpairs on their website, call them on 07572 804 138 or email info@pawpairs.com. You can also follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!
 

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