With the intense heatwave and many cities experiencing record-breaking temperatures, reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius, it wasn’t just us humans who felt the high temperatures. Pets also suffered from excessive heat, but they show it in different ways and, as a result, require extra attention from their guardians.
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According to veterinarian Renata Pinheiro, from the health and well-being platform for dogs and cats, Guiavet, pets have more difficulty dissipating heat, and poor hydration can lead to sunstroke, nausea, weakness, headache, redness, and fluid retention in pets. Furthermore, they don’t sweat like we do, so it’s important to pay attention to signs to determine if your pet is suffering from the heat.
“Observe if their breathing is more rapid, if the pet is more apathetic (less active) and seeking shady areas and cool surfaces, if they appear uncomfortable while walking, and if they are panting. Also, check the color of their gums and other mucous membranes, which should be well-colored, in a bubblegum pink tone, and not too red,” she explains.
The professional has prepared some special care tips for pets during periods of intense heat. Check them out!
Hydration
Ensure that your pet has plenty of water available and change it several times a day. Make sure the animal has a cool place to take shelter during the hottest hours of the day.
Providing bowls or small pools, always with supervision, can also be a fun option for your pet to cool off if they enjoy water. Cooling mats can also help alleviate the heat.
Sun Protection
Take extra care if your pet stays outside the house. If the pet’s house has a metal or plastic roof, seek additional protection to block the sun and keep the environment cool.
If you need to be away from home, ensure that your pet has more than one water bowl in different parts of the house, preferably with ice inside, and keep water bowls and bedding out of the sun’s reach.
Gel mats, air conditioning, or fans can make the environment more refreshing, providing thermal comfort for your pet.
Walks
The rule for walks is always to test the asphalt’s temperature with your hands along the way and prioritize shaded areas with dirt or grass floors and paths with more shade.
It is also important to calculate the time and avoid staying out of the house during periods of intense sun, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Never leave your pet locked inside cars. Be especially cautious during this time: a closed car acts like a greenhouse, and even short intervals can be enough to endanger your pet’s life.
Refreshing Snacks
Two very cool snack ideas are coconut water popsicles! You can freeze coconut water in ice cube trays and offer them to your pet throughout the day.
Another tip is to freeze your pet’s favorite snacks in filtered water, creating blocks for them to lick and play with until they are satisfied.
