Hot Weather Tips for Pets

Dogs should never be left in a car on a hot day – even in the shade or with windows open. If you are taking the dog on a car journey try to avoid travelling during the hottest part of the day. Ensure the dog is not in direct sunlight, and take plenty of water. On long trips, stop frequently, they should be drinking little and often, not gulping large quantities. If you have to leave the car for a comfort break, you should consider whether to take your dog if you don't have a companion to leave with them. Dogs cool down by panting, which fills the air with moisture. In a hot car they can't evaporate enough water quickly enough to cool down, plus the air can only hold so much moisture. Even with a boot or window open if there's no breeze it could still get too hot for your dog. Never allow your dog to hang their head out of the window when driving.

Dogs shouldn't be walked during the hottest part of the day, morning and evening are preferable. I find shady areas to walk your dogs, avoiding hot pavements which may burn their paws, and I always carry water. Dogs benefit most from little and often, so we do lots of pit stops and we do not walk as far as on cooler days.

This summer I will be taking the dogs to ponds and pools to allow them to swim or paddle on very hot days. If you do not wish your dog to get wet or muddy please let me know. I can't promise to keep dogs out of water without keeping them on a lead, as they will find mud and water holes in places I can't go, but I will do my best. I do rub down with towels and maybe a quick brush so at least they aren't dripping, but am not able to bathe or groom them before returning them home.

During the day at home, most double glazing can be locked in the 'ajar' position to allow for fresh air and to catch any breeze if you are unable to leave windows open, or try moving the dogs to another area if necessary. Conservatories get VERY HOT, even 'open plan' with a conventional room the heat travels and can be stiffling. Blinds are essential, but won't stop all the heat. A fan may be needed. A plastic bottle of tap water can be frozen, wrapped in a tea towel and left for your dog to lie against if they wish to, you can also do this for rabbits.

Open windows on the top floor can be hazardous to cats – they often land on their feet, but this can be followed by their jaws and teeth, which may then need medical attention.

Pets must be able to move out of a hot environment into a cooler one, so leave doors open in the house if necessary – bathrooms and kitchens can be a popular choice for pets, as the floor is often much cooler for them to lie on.

Short-nosed, black and long-haired breeds can suffer more from the heat. If they overheat, soaking them in cool (not cold) water and rubbing it right down to the skin is more beneficial than covering them with a wet towel. Don't forget underneath as well, the groin and ‘armpit’ area, as this is where most cooling will occur.

White dogs, cats and rabbits (or with white patches in sensitive areas), can get sunburn on ears, nose and around the eyes. Pet sunscreen is very rare, and hard to get hold of (products may be different for different species), so speak to your vet to see if they recommend a sunscreen – check with your insurance company that they will be covered if they have a reaction or lick it off. If your pet sunbathes on its back the stomach is at risk of burning, so keep them in the shade. Avoiding the sun is preferable.

Watch out for ticks while walking in long grass or meadows especially if there are horses or livestock nearby. These can be removed with a special 'tick tweezer'. Avoid smothering or burning the tick as this can cause it to release saliva or stomach contents, raising the risk of infection Remove them as soon as possible as disease transmission risk increases the longer they are attached. Grass seeds can be a real hazard as if they find a small wound, graze, or even thin skin they can work their way inside your dog, so check paws, eyes and ears if they seem irritated, a vet visit may be needed to remove them.

Bee stings – remove the sting by scraping it with a hard object, avoid using tweezers as this can lead to more poison entering your pet. Bathe with bicarbonate of soda and water, also an ice pack can relieve pain. Wasp stings – bathe the area with vinegar. There will be some swelling, if this is excessive, or inside or around your dog's mouth a vet check may be needed as pets can be allergic to stings in the same way humans can, and swelling can block the airway.

Home Dog Boarding in Brentwood - Millie

Millie came to stay a couple of weekends ago, but I've been so busy I haven't had time to update properly.

What a beauty! A working cocker and it took me all weekend and a few hundred photos to get this - she hardly ever sat still.

The weather was very warm, so I made some tuna icecubes:


Took the dogs for a swim:


And went to the beach:


Finally, we got this:


Which is my favourite thing in all the world. A tired and happy dog sleeping.

I've Stopped Walking

So the dogs have too.



I like this shot, it's a very, very hot sunny day, but we'll all cool and chilled in the shade. I stopped walking to offer them some water, and good as gold, they all gathered round me and stopped too, just as I've taught them.

Bless.

Offer water little and often as you walk, remembering to have some yourself too. Some of the dogs I can just squirt water and they'll lap the stream, but others haven't quite got that hang of that yet, so I still carry a fold up bowl. Lots of country parks have water available for the dogs, but unless there is a tap I can use to refill a bowl I avoid using shared water. Often it's full of other dogs saliva, and not only will some dogs refuse this, veterinary advice is shared water bowls can spread disease.

Sad Fate of two Police Dogs

Police dogs die in parked vehicle

Despite all the warnings coming from the dog community, two police dogs died this week after being left in a car. The handler was off duty, and it's unknown if they were in a private car or an offical dog vehicle.

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, is saddened to hear about the death of two German Shepherd dogs who were found in a vehicle parked outside the Headquarters of Nottinghamshire Police on Tuesday.

Whilst the cause of death is still to be determined, the charity would like to remind dog owners and police dog handlers that leaving your dog locked in a car can prove fatal, particularly during a heatwave. It can take just twenty minutes for a dog to die and temperatures can reach over 40 degrees in some vehicles.

Dogs Trust has compiled three essential tips for owners to help their dogs beat the heat:

Walk your dog in the morning and evening when the weather is cooler and make sure shady spots and drinking water are available.

Clip the fur of particularly hairy hounds and apply canine sun cream to areas most likely to burn: ears, nose, and belly. Human suncream can be toxic so buy a special pet version from your local pet shop.

Be extra vigilant with older and overweight dogs as they are more prone to overheat. In a real emergency wet your dog thoroughly and use a household fan to blow cool air over their head and body. Seek urgent veterinary attention.

If your dog shows signs of distress – such as excessive panting, blueness of the tongue or collapse contact your local vet immediately.

Today I had a chat with the owner of a Bulldog I walk. Even 8am in the morning is beginning to be too hot for him, so if this heat keeps up we've discussed shorter walks at an earlier time.

It's not difficult. How can a police officer, trained to handle dogs, have any excuse for what happened to those poor dogs?

NEVER leave your dog in the car in warm weather. Just twenty minutes waiting in a hot car can prove fatal.

Dogs Die As RSPCA Urges Owners Not To Leave Dogs In Hot Cars

As temperature soars, so do calls about dogs left alone in the heat.

The RSPCA is renewing its plea to owners to not leave their pets in hot cars as dogs are losing their lives in the crippling heat.

A tragic incident happened yesterday after two dogs were in a car in Nottingham on one of the hottest days of the year. It has also been reported that a dog died after being left in a car in Chichester during the hot weather at the end of last week.

The RSPCA has been inundated with calls from members of the public who are worried about animals which have been trapped in hot environments such as cars or gardens without shade. The Society received a whopping total of 1,058 calls with concerns for the welfare of dogs in the hot weather throughout June. 109 of those calls were taken on Monday (June 29) when temperatures topped 30 degrees. More than 250 calls were also received regarding other animals suffering in the heat.

Pet owners are being reminded to never leave an animal in a car at any time during hot weather. Temperatures can dramatically increase and rise to as much as 47 degrees in less than an hour. Airconditioned cars can reach the same temperature as outside within just five minutes of the system being turned off.

Many owners believe that leaving a car window open or a bowl of water nearby is enough but in reality this will make virtually no difference and the dog is still in serious danger of literally being cooked alive.

RSPCA chief veterinary adviser Mark Evans said: “A hot car can be a death trap for dogs, it is as simple as that. Leaving your dog in a car, even on an average warm, even cloudy summer day, can put your pet at huge risk of suffering and even death.

“This is not a new warning, but sadly too many people still don’t appreciate how dangerous it can be to leave a dog in a hot car, conservatory or caravan. Don’t let your dog be the one to find out the hard way.”

Animals & hot weather – RSPCA tips & information:
• All dogs will suffer in extreme heat, but some are more prone to heatstroke than others. Dogs that are
old, young, short nosed, long-haired, overweight or heavily muscled are more at risk, as well as dogs with certain diseases.
• Particular breeds of dog, such as flat-faced pug dogs and bulldogs are also particularly susceptible to heat stoke.
• Owners should also bear in mind that dogs can suffer from heat stroke at any time, such as when they are out for a walk. It is therefore advised that they are kept out of the midday sun and taken out for a walk in the early morning or evening to avoid the temperature extremes.
• Pets should also not be left in conservatories, outbuildings or caravans during the hot weather as it poses the same risk.
• Owners who fear their dog may be suffering from heat stroke should act with great urgency. Warning signs include overly red or purple gums, a rapid pulse, vomiting and diarrhoea, lack of co-ordination and a reluctance or inability to rise after collapsing or suffering seizures.
• Pets should be moved to a cooler spot straight away before ringing your vet for advice immediately.
• Under the Animal Welfare Act, those found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal face a fine of up to £20,000 and/or a six-month custodial sentence.

Tongue of the Month

With this hot weather I am seeing a lot of dog tongues. For those who may not know, this is aircon for dogs - wet tongue, hang out in preferred style, and pant. Try to get in a snog if possible. Dog walkers love doggy snogs.

So it is important that they can drink frequently when out for a walk in the sun, or if they have to travel in the van when its warm. They need to replenish their saliva to help keep themselves cool. Their other preferred option - paddling in muddy ponds and puddles - is not always looked on with delight by humans. Dogs see mud as their back-up aircon, but humans see it as a terrible mess on the floor/trousers/shoulders depending on the size of the dog.

Keep plenty of water around the house and in the car if travelling - I'd recommend more than one bowl in case they spill it or dig a hole in it (terrier owners will know what I mean!). Some dogs will not drink once the water goes below a certain level, so having two means they won't go without.

Now, back to the tongues, in reverse order!

Enzo - 6 month lab, a young rising star in the tongue stakes, hampered by being walked through the woods before the sun has really warmed up. Not really a contender for the TotM title at this stage.


Peanut, cute, but not really what the Judges are looking for. Also, he's sleeping on the job.


Conrad - getting to the main contenders here, nice loll * to catch a cooling breeze, but not really all the way there...


Scarlet - doing well, just look at all those bubbles! This is A Serious Cooling Tongue


Sadly though, she was beaten to the title by Benson. Who won simply because this was terrifying! I half expected to stick to the end and disappear forever.


Well done to Benson, our Tongue of the Month Champion!

And here's a quick shot of Fred, as this is a very devilish 'I'm looking forward to eating that stuffed toy' tongue.







* NOt 'LOL - Laugh Out Loud', but 'hang loosely' for those who were born post 1994.

Hot Weather - Plenty of Drinking Water

At the end of a walk we all go back to the van and have a drink - on really hot days we carry water as well, stopping to sip little and often. The dogs get the aquabowls, which are fantastic! I love my road refresher bestest of all for travelling in the van, but for getting water to the dogs quickly at the end of the walk, these are great. They don't need taking apart to refill, and as I got the big ones I just bring one indoors to refill every couple of days. To operate, just open the valve, stand on one end, and let the dogs at 'em.


Big or small dogs can use them with no problems - sometimes I put them on the floor of the van for the bigger dogs. They don't all appreciate it, but some do. I don't take them on a walk as they are not very comfortable to hold and it means one hand is 'wasted', I use a smaller more portable carrier.


Bit worried about Scarlet licking her lips while looking at Max...

I use my water bladder in a small backpack, attached to the back is my powermonkey explorer, which charges while in the sun and I can use it to charge my mobile phone while I'm out. I can't find the photo now, but I'm sure it can be imagined.