We want nothing more than to enjoy the warm sunny weather with our pets but we need to take extra precautions to avoid them overheating & to keep them safe. Check out our top tips on how to keep your pet cool in warm weather below. Keeping Your Dog safe in the Sun Dogs will instinctively seek out shade when they become too warm so it is best to ensure they always have somewhere to retreat to in the garden, keeping a nice cool bowl of water in this area is a great way to keep your dog hydrated. If you do decide to take your dog for a walk pick a shaded area such as a forest park to keep your four legged friend comfortable. You should always avoid walking on concrete or tarmac in direct sunlight to protect your pets paws from burns, their paws are the first part of their body to feel the heat. To protect & cure dry paws why not try our Pet Head – Paw Butter. If possible we encourage pet owners to take their dogs for walk at cooler times of the day such as early morning or late evening. Do not under any circumstances leave your pet in a vehicle unattended when the sun is shining or if its warm outside, temperatures of 22oC outside can get as high as 47oC or more inside a vehicle on a warm day. Dogs can very quickly become overheated and suffer from heatstroke in these conditions. Always take plenty of water out and about with you and always have fresh water available to your dog even when at home. Check out our pet travel bottles for easy convenient water for your pet at all times. Make your pet some refreshing frozen treats such as ice cubes or frozen carrot sticks. If your dog is suffering from heat stroke it is advised not to feed frozen treats as a method to cool down, instead contact your vet for advice. Cooling Mats are a great way to provide your pet with a cool space to relax and ‘chill out’. We have these available in both Small & Large sizes in store. We also stock 6 sizes in Cooling Jackets, suitable for all breeds of dog. Regardless of the breed of dog you keep, regular grooming will ensure air can flow freely through your pets coat to help keep them cool. Double coated breeds will benefit from de-shedding before the summer months whilst breeds that get clipped can keep cool from a shorter cut. It is also important coats are kept brushed and matt free to enable air flow. Check out our sister company Lisburn Dog Groomers for availability or advice on grooming this summer. Signs of Heatstroke Hopefully by following our top tips above your pet will be happy and healthy this summer. However here are some signs your pet is suffering from heatstroke and veterinary treatment should be obtained immediately. Excessive Panting Drooling Collapsing Vomiting
