The 21st of June marks the summer solstice, the longest day of sunlight in the year and a momentous occasion above the Arctic Circle where there is a full 24 hours of daylight. It is a mark of brighter evenings for us in Britain, and this year we will enjoy 16 hours and 43 minutes of sunlight to be exact. The sun will rise at 4:43 am and set at 9:22 pm. How amazing.
And although the long sunny days and wonderful warm weather may be a symbol of joy and happiness for many of us – a sign of better days ahead – the lovely weather is often not so appreciated by our furry friends, who can struggle in the heat and blistering sun.
Here’s some knowledge you might want to know to keep your pet happy this summer:
Dehydration
It’s important to know the symptoms of dehydration. Excessive panting or difficulty breathing, unusual weakness or a lack of movement can all be signs that your pet isn’t coping with the heat, and dehydration has begun to set in. Even worse, animals with flat faces, such as pugs and certain cats, can become even more susceptible to overheating as they cannot pant efficiently with their squashed faces. Keeping fresh water at all times is essential to cool them down, stopping them from becoming overheated and keeping them happy.
Top tip: put ice cubes in your pet’s water bowl to keep their water cool and refreshing. Tasty ice cube treats are usually a big win for small animals, especially dogs and cats!
Windows
We hope most pet owners already know about this one, but we can’t stress enough the importance of never leaving animals alone in a vehicle without good ventilation. In the height of summer, temperatures of 22°C can rise to a whopping 47°C inside a car, which could cause fatal heatstroke for your pet. Remember to never leave a pet in a car in these conditions, even for just a few minutes. We understand this will mainly apply to dog owners, but it is the same for all pets left in hot places including caravans, conservatories, and even greenhouses.
Walks
Dogs can be as energetic and excited for walks as they always are, but this does not mean they may not be suffering in the heat once they are out. A dog that slows down quickly or is panting heavily is a good sign that it is too hot to walk at this time of day and that they need water. Walking your dog early morning or later in the evening can keep them cooler and happier, and get them out enjoying their walks for longer!
Also, with dogs being so close to the ground, their bodies can heat up quickly too. Hot ground such as tarmacked roads or sandy beaches means their sensitive paw pads can burn. Walking times on these hot surfaces should be kept to a minimum or avoided completely, especially at hot times of the day.
Access to shade
This one applies to all pets, whether that’s dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, or even pond fish. Shade is essential to keeping your pets out of the harsh sun all day and protecting them from heatstroke. Remember, they don’t wear sun cream like we do!
Top tip: if your dog is a fan of water, why not get a paddling pool for the garden that they can splash and play about in all day…and keep cool at the same time!
