Animals suffer from summer temperatures.
PETA expert gives tips.
Stuttgart. The sun is out. While many people are enjoying the summer weather, dogs, cats, rabbits and horses need special protection and the watchful eye of their human companion to survive the heatwave. In the wild, for example, rabbits dig complex tunnels and caves into which they can retreat when the outside temperature is high. In captivity, these sensitive animals often suffer from the high temperatures and often suffer life-threatening heat stroke. Dogs overheat easily because they cool down mainly by panting and otherwise have hardly any sweat glands. Horses are also affected – jet black or white fur makes the animals sensitive to the sun; sunburn or even heat shock can be the result of too much exposure to the sun. Jana Hoger, specialist for animal companions at PETA, has put together helpful tips for people with animals.
“In hot weather, animals need to protect themselves from the sun and cool down just like people do, otherwise the temperatures can quickly become a major danger,” says Jana Hoger. “If you are well informed, you can help your two-legged or four-legged friends enjoy sunny days without suffering from heat-related problems.”
PETA's tips for hot days
Hydration
At home, dogs and cats' water bowls must always be full; when out and about, dog owners can take water with them in a bottle, which they should offer their four-legged friends again and again.
It is a good idea to encourage cats to drink more, especially in summer, by offering them different water options. Drinking fountains, several bowls in different places or even ice cubes can be helpful.
Animals kept on pastures such as horses, sheep or cows have an increased need for water in summer – horses drink up to 100 litres a day. The water trough should be checked several times a day to ensure a constant supply of fresh water.
A lot of fluids is also important for rodents such as rabbits and guinea pigs. Both species are prone to urinary tract infections and can quickly overheat in summer. The water in the drinking trough should be changed daily. Fresh grass and herbs are also popular sources of fluids. Commercial drinking bottles are not recommended due to the poor hygiene of the stainless steel straw.
Birds also need to have fresh and, if possible, cool drinking water available at all times; this should be changed daily. A shallow bowl for bathing can also cool the animals down.
The right protection against sun exposure
Under no circumstances should dogs and other animals be left in a car in hot weather: Since dogs have few sweat glands and cool down mainly by panting, they can quickly suffer irreparable organ damage or even cardiac arrest in a hot car interior. Anyone who sees a dog locked in a car should call the police immediately. If the dog's life is already in danger and neither the owner of the car nor the police are there in time, people can consider breaking a window to save the dog. However, in order for breaking the window not to constitute damage to property and to be justified as an “emergency”, this must be the only way to free the animal from mortal danger. If possible, witnesses should be called in so that they can confirm the emergency situation afterwards.
For animals kept on pasture, a shady, well-ventilated shelter with a lightning rod is essential and required by law – this protects them from sunlight and heat storms. If a cool stable is available, it should be open, especially during the hot midday hours, to give the animals the opportunity to retreat.
Rabbits, guinea pigs and birds need to be kept as cool as possible in the summer. The house should be darkened during the day, and ice cubes or ice packs wrapped in a towel can provide additional cooling. However, the animals must always be able to move away from the cooling sources. In the outdoor enclosure or aviary, a well-ventilated shelter in the shade is essential; animals in cages or pens must never be left in the sun. A fan or permanently wide-open windows are not suitable for cooling down, as many animals can quickly catch cold in the draft or suffer from painful conjunctivitis.
No movement at too high temperatures
Physical exertion with dogs – such as running alongside a bike – should be avoided in very hot weather. It is also advisable to plan walks in the cooler morning or evening hours.
Horses should also not be exercised at temperatures above 30 degrees – here too, the morning and evening hours are preferable.
Beware of sunburn
Be careful with light-colored animals with sensitive skin: Applying sunscreen to the bridge of the nose and ears is a good idea to protect dogs, cats, and horses from sunburn. A non-toxic natural cosmetic product should be chosen in case the animals manage to lick the cream off. Alternatively, a sunscreen for small children and babies with a sun protection factor of 50 is suitable.
Animals that show signs of sunburn with red or flaky skin must be taken out of the sun immediately. A visit to the veterinarian is recommended.
Danger to life:
Recognize the first symptoms of heat stroke
Signs of overheating in dogs include heavy panting and apathy, but sometimes also nervousness. Very heavy panting, staggering, a dark tongue or a glassy look and vomiting indicate that the dog has probably already suffered from heat stroke and is in acute danger of death. First aid measures: The overheated animal must be brought into the shade immediately. The dog's body, especially legs and paws, should be moistened slowly and carefully with lukewarm or slightly cool water. The urgently needed drinking water, which must never be given, must not be ice cold either. If the dog cools down too cold or too quickly, there is a risk of circulatory shock. The animal must then be taken to a veterinary specialist immediately – even if its condition appears to have improved as a result of the first aid measures.
If a horse suddenly starts sweating heavily for no apparent reason, loses its body tension and, in the worst case, starts to stagger, it may have suffered heat stroke. In this case, a veterinarian must be called immediately. As first aid measures, horse owners should immediately take the animal to a shady, well-ventilated place and cool it with water, starting with the limbs. Wet compresses can also help.
If an otherwise healthy rabbit or guinea pig is lying listlessly on its side on a hot day and breathing quickly and shallowly, it should be taken into the shade immediately. A cool, damp towel can be used as a bedding to cool the animal down. Cool air can also help. The pet must be taken to a veterinarian immediately, as it may have suffered heat stroke and could even die from circulatory failure.