Mullingar vet shares advice for keeping pets safe in the heat

Hot weather can be challenging for your pets – but a Mullingar veterinary surgeon has said this week there are steps that owners can take to minimise the discomfort that temperatures in the twenties can mean for dogs and cats.

“You do need to be mindful of your cats or dogs - especially if you're travelling,” says Jonathan Hynes, who works at Auburn Veterinary Hospital in Mullingar.

“If you have to travel, we would say that you should have an air-conditioned car, and that you absolutely don't leave dogs or cats in cars."

As with humans, the important things to ensure is that they are kept hydrated, and have access to shade, and it may be necessary to change routines so that the animal isn’t exposed to the worst of the heat.

“I know everyone likes to get out with a dog in the fine weather, but we would advise early morning, like between 7am and 10am, or if it was a thing that you can go late in the evening, probably after 7pm when the paths cool down.”

The heat of the ground underfoot can be unpleasant for dogs, and Jonathan says this is something owners do not always consider.

“If we’re walking around in our shoes, you mightn’t realise how hot the ground is,” he says. “You want to give them the best part of the day, but it is actually quite dangerous. They could get little burns on their feet, and that's a reason we would strongly advise not going out during the main part of the day.”

If the dogs can run around on grass, that will be easier on their paws than walking on roads or pavements.

Some dogs love being in the water, whether a lake or a river – but Jonathan urges caution if they are unused to swimming, and again, in the cases of dogs that are familiar with the water, he advises trying to avoid peak hours – between noon and 3pm.

“If your dogs are at home, ensure that there's adequate water available to them and if they're outside, that there would be a shaded area – with larger dogs especially, it would be important that they just have a cool area that they can avoid the sun.”

Jonathan also advises that pet owners be aware of heatstroke: “Signs of heatstroke would be if the dog becomes lethargic if you are out for a walk, or if people come home and find their dog quite lethargic and stressed. In that case, the first thing that they should do is provide cold water on top of them, maybe towels, and give us a ring as quick as possible so that we can assess them and help them see if they need an emergency response during the hot weather.

“What we would find is that dogs that would suffer a lot more with the sun would be the larger breed dogs, with maybe heavier coats. They would be the dogs that would be most susceptible to the likes of heat stroke or just being overcome with the heat,” Jonathan says.

With these types of dogs, a visit to a dog groomer is worth considering, as if they are suited to having their coats shorn, that can bring them some relief from the hot weather.

It’s not necessary to change diets, although some owners may notice their pet’s appetite reduces somehat.

When it comes to cats, this weather is less of a problem: “Cats are inclined to sit in the sun,” says Jonathan, although pointing out that they should have access to shade if outside, and water.