Top tips to help keep your pets cool this scorching Monday

With temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius this sizzling hot Monday, Zululanders are reminded about ensuring pets are kept sufficiently hydrated so as not to suffer from heatstroke.

While there will be some respite tomorrow (Tuesday), with much cooler, wetter conditions forecast, today is just a taste of what’s to come as summer takes hold in the coming weeks.

Animals are as susceptible to heatstroke and heat exhaustion as humans are, the only difference being they cannot tell you how they are feeling.

With this in mind, it is imperative to take note of the following signs of heatstroke, what to do when heatstroke occurs, and how to prevent it.

Heatstroke symptoms in dogs:

• Rapid panting, weakness, bright red tongue
• Diarrhoea, vomiting, thick/sticky saliva

What to do:

• Move dog to a cool area
• Apply cool water all over the body; and cool towels to head, neck and chest
• Give small drinks of cool water
• Take your dog to the vet ASAP

Prevention is better than cure

As always, however, preventing the onset of heatstroke is far more ideal.

Keeping dogs cool on hot days:

• Restrict exercise
• Never leave them in a hot car, not even for a few minutes
• Walk them early in the morning or late afternoon. If your bare feet burn on a hot surface, so will their pads
• Spray them with water to cool them down; wet their paws, as this also cools them down
• Always make sure your animals have access to water that is kept in the shade. Add ice to their water.
• Make sure your animals have access to shade.

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