By Mike Adamson, owner of Clearway Pets
Finally, warmer weather is upon us and it is extremely easy to enjoy it safely with all of your pets.
However, it is also very easy to make your pets poorly from the heat! When it comes to small animals there are a few small checks you can do to ensure they are safe in the summer, firstly their hutch, make sure it is not in direct sunlight all day, and that when it is they will need an area in the hutch out of the sun, so they can cool down! Make sure there is plenty of fresh water, if they finish it regularly then buy a bigger bottle or put a bowl of water down too. If you are letting them out in the sun, moderate the amount of time they are out for, ensure they always have water and shade easily accessible.
There is an abundance of products to help you keep your dog cool in the summer and the easy things to avoid. Many of the items available make great games, too. The best known is the cooling mat, also great for cats – gel filled to ensure it remains cool throughout the day, you can also get Dog Pools, these are the same concept as a paddling pool, but they are armoured so you do not need to buy a new one every week!
Frozen treats are a fantastic way to lower your dogs body temperature, you can even get toys that you soak and freeze, which keep them occupied and cool! Cooling coats and bandanas are a cost-effective cooling aid, which you can use time and time again! There are then the obvious things to avoid, Hot cars, every year this message gets put out there, yet people still do it. No hot cars, not even for a minute!
On middle of the day walks, try to keep your daily walks to early morning and evening, avoiding the hottest part of the day, and watch out for hot tarmac and hot ground in general, this can do an awful lot of damage to your pet’s feet. If your dog is looking dehydrated a simple twist of the skin on there scruff is a basic indication, if it is slow to return to its normal position, your dog could be dehydrated, an isotonic liquid is a cheap fast hydration drink that is good to keep in the cupboard for emergencies, if your dogs symptoms get worse then take them to your vet as soon as you can!
Our full summer range is in store now, and all of the above is available to purchase in store and online.