Summer is already here. I’ve read on the news that Metro Manila reached 36.5 degrees Celsius while Cabanatuan experienced the highest recorded heat index of 52.3 degree Celsius. Sadly, this is due to Summer plus the effect of El Niño here in the Philippines.
Everyone has felt the changes in the weather. I noticed my pets panting a lot which makes me worried especially for my female cat who is now pregnant. This is a sign that they feel hot and maybe, uncomfortable. So how do we make sure that our pets are safe during summer?
This is how Whimsy looked liked when I saw her panting.
1. Maintain their fur. Giving them a haircut or shaving off their hair is not necessary. Their coat actually protects them from heat but make sure you brush them and remove excess fur every day to help with circulation. As for us, we decided to give Percy(male cat) a haircut because he loves staying in wet places like the bathroom which caused him to have lots of matted furs.
My Percy has a similar cut as this but it’s really difficult to take a picture of him. LOL
You may also purchase a Furminator which is famous for effectively removing excess hair from your pet’s fur. Cats are great at grooming themselves but we also take our cats for a bath once in a while.
“Matting can cut off blood supply to extremities, and deny regular air circulation. Skin denied fresh air and stimulation from regular brushing becomes quite unhealthy. It can turn dark pink to red, and open sores are apt to form emitting foul odors. Even organic matter, like weeds and stickers, can become embedded in the skin. Matts have been known to contain stool of the pet and even fly larvae that further irritate the skin. Remember, sometimes these mats and their consequences can be completely hidden from view.”
2. Keep them hydrated. Make sure they have enough clean water every day. Obviously, like us, water will make them stay hydrated. Make sure they never run out of it. This is very important. If you are feeding them with dry commercial pet food, make sure to give them wet pet food as well so they will have enough liquid intake and also, prevent Urinary Tract Infections.
You may also consider purchasing the Cat H2O 2L Water Fountain (P1,375) which can help keep your cats and also dogs hydrated this Summer. You may purchase this from Shopee. As per my personal experience, this encourages pets to drink more water and also has a filter that reduces impurities in the water and helps capture hair, food, dirt, and other debris. We usually purchase from Shopee or Lazada because it’s very convenient for us.
photo credits: Google
3. Place them in a cool or shady place. Look for a place in your house or simply place them where there is adequate air circulation. I’ve noticed my cats become behaved and relaxed when they are in a well-ventilated room. You may also try purchasing cooling pads, but make sure they are clean and do not contain harmful substances which can be toxic to them. These pads absorb heat from your pet’s body and keep them cool.
4. Look for signs of heat stroke. Check to see if their panting is not normal and if they are drooling, have increased body temperature, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, and many more. If you see any of these signs, please bring them immediately to the vet.
“This condition (heat stroke) can lead to multiple organ dysfunction. Temperatures are suggestive of non-fever hyperthermia. Another type, malignant hyperthermia, is an uncommon familial non-fever hyperthermia that can occur secondary to some anesthetic agents.”
With these steps, we can ensure our pet’s safety even if the sun is unforgivably hot. Also, don’t forget that we should take care of ourselves as well! How can we take care of our pets if we won’t take care of ourselves? Do not forget to drink lots of water, don’t stay under the sun for too long, and don’t forget to use sunblock. Beware of heat stroke as well!
How about you? How do you take care of your pets in this scorching heat? Let me know of other ways how we can make sure our pets are safe this Summer!
Sources: (http://www.dogdayafternoonspa.com/groomingservices/aboutmatting.html) (http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/cardiovascular/c_dg_heat_stroke) (https://www.vetinfo.com/how-a-dog-cooling-pad-works.html)
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I say keep them indoors plus lots of water. 🙂 I would even go as far as having their hair cut short so it is not too hot. They will grow back anyway.
15 April 2016 at 8:51 AMThese are helpful tips for pet-keepers, for sure. I don’t have pets, and luckily no need to worry about the scorching heat of the sun. It’s 5-10 degrees C outside here in Norway these days. I like the tropical weather, but I work best when it’s not.. what?.. 52 degrees? Global warming is real. It’s just April, but I hope the heavens will send rain to PH soon enough.
15 April 2016 at 9:50 AMI don’t have a pet, which makes me thankful because it wouldn’t survive in my oven-like room in the dorm. But your tips are quite helpful and worth sharing to those who have pets.
15 April 2016 at 10:41 AMGreat advices. I also heard about leaving a cool wet towel in the shadow for them to lay on if they want. I don’t know if it works. I have two poodles and keep them short haired in the summer. Obviously having cold water helps. Putting ice cubes in it, can keep it colder for longer time.
15 April 2016 at 12:55 PMMy dog is always inside the house and has a fan running for almost 24 hours. But it seems that’s still not enough because of his thick fur. I found that ice cubes helps, and taking a bath more frequently makes him feel more comfortable. That is one cool looking water fountain. Will check that out!
15 April 2016 at 11:05 PMI’m not a fan of Pets, the last time I had was when I was in elementary which is a fish. Hahaha. By the way, your cat is cute. These tips are worth sharing. Keep them hydrated and stay in a cooler place. Just like us human, that’s what I’m doing to fight this heat.
16 April 2016 at 2:35 AMI didn’t know about the other tips you mentioned or that animals can suffer from heat stroke as well. I normally just keep our dogs hydrated. We always have a basin full of water for them. Works okay for a few years now. 🙂
16 April 2016 at 3:55 AMI have a pet fish and good thing they do not need to be monitored for dehydration haha. My dog however, is not fond of drinking from its fountain. I had to give him water on his dish a number of times a day just to keep him from dehydration.
16 April 2016 at 5:19 AMI don’t have any pet but these things are necessary to take extra caution this summer. People do complain and find ways to stay safe and so the cats too.
16 April 2016 at 1:48 PMI bet pet lovers should read about this post. Yes. Pets need to be well hydrated this summer. It’s too hot!!! Ehem.my boyfriend’s dog likes to be in front of the electric fan these days. Hahaha.
17 April 2016 at 9:54 PMFollow up comment. We dont have a cat though, but some will work too for dogs. 🙂
17 April 2016 at 9:56 PMPlease do not abandon them at old age.I see so many people abandoning their pets and the poor animals cry all the time.Also, please do not lock them up when you go outdoors visiting friends.They feel so miserable.
18 April 2016 at 2:28 PM