The blistering heat of Indian summers can be harsh for humans and their pets. While we humans can manage things for ourselves, our pets need extra care during the hottest time of the year. In this blog, you will learn everything about dehydration and heat stroke in dogs and cats and also explore ways to protect the pets from it effectively.
What is a Heatstroke?
Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that happens during excessive heat and severe hydration. If you live in cities which get hot during summer, you must take extra precautions to keep your dogs and cats safe.
Signs of Heatstroke in Dogs
- Excessive Panting
- Heavy drooling
- Frequent Exhaustion
- Rise in Body Temperature
- Fast or Irregular Heartbeat
- Dry and Sticky Gum
- Loss of Appetite
- Diarrohea
- Vomiting
Signs of Heatstroke in Cats
- Sweaty Feet
- Heavy Panting
- Excessive Drooling
- Rise in Rectal Temperature
- Dry and Sticky Gum
- Excessive Grooming to Cool Off
- Loss of Appetite
- Diarrohea
- Vomiting
How to Prevent Heatstroke in Dogs and Cats?
Here are some of the ways you can prevent heatstroke in your pets and also keep them comfortable and relaxed during the scorching heat of summer.
Always keep a bowl of fresh water near your pets at all times. This will ensure that they are well-hydrated during the scorching heat of the summer. Remember not to feed your cats milk at all times as most felines are lactose intolerant.
- Shield them From Direct Sunlight
This is one of the most important steps in preventing heat exhaustion in pets. Always keep them away from direct sunlight, especially between 12 pm and 4 pm, where the temperature is usually the maximum. During scorching heat, keep them in front of the AC at a comfortable temperature or by placing a table fan at a safe distance from them.
Add wet dog food and wet cat food to your pet’s diet. Gravy foods have relatively higher water content and are excellent for keeping pets well-hydrated, especially if they are reluctant to drink enough water. If you continue to feed kibble, add some water or broth to it and then feed. While feeding dry foods, always place a bowl of fresh water since dry kibble lacks moisture. For dogs, you can consider feeding them melons, apples, berries etc, since they consist of ample amounts of water and have a cooling effect on them.
- Step Out When It’s a Bit Cool
Since daily walks are important for dogs, it is better to step outside when it has become a bit cool. Avoid going out when the sun is at its peak, especially between 10 am and 6 am. During summers, early mornings or late evenings are the best times to go for a walk with your dog. Also, avoid walking on pavements as they damage your pet’s paws. Always carry plenty of clean water with you as well.
- Always Be Attentive While Travelling
If you are travelling in a car, never leave your dog or cat alone while you have parked. The temperature inside the car tends to be relatively higher than outside, and it can cause heatstroke in dogs even if windows are cracked. Remember to keep the AC on and also keep your pets well hydrated. If there is an emergency, and you have to get out, consider using dog crates for transportation.
If you think shaving your dog’s hair during summer can keep them cool, then you are highly mistaken. The trick to keep your dogs cool during summers is to trim, and not shave. Your pets need fur on their body since it insulates their body from taking too much heat. Besides, shaving can also cause a lot of skin allergies and infections.
Ensure that your dog’s fur is cleanly trimmed. If your pet has long hair, comb them regularly to prevent the matting and tangling of the hair.
- Focus on Breed-Related Problems
A dog’s breed type also determines how much vulnerable they are to heat. For instance, if you have a brachycephalic breed (flat-faced) like a Pug, Bulldog, French Bulldog etc, they are more sensitive to hot weather due to their short snouts. Hunting and working breeds like Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds also get hotter fast. Similarly for cats, you need to give special attention to long-haired breeds like Persian Cats, as they are also exposes to overheating.
All in All,
You have seen the symptoms of dehydration and heatstroke in both dogs and cats. It is important that the pet owners always keep a bowl of water near to their pets so that they can drink it whenerver they want. Also, these seven tips will tremendously help you to keep your dogs and cats stay healthy and comfortable during the blistering heat of the summers.
