With temperatures set to soar to more than 30 degrees celsius this week in some parts of the country, the RSPCA is issuing urgent advice, tips and DIY video tutorials to help pet owners keep their furry and feathered friends cool and comfortable.
The charity’s advice comes as the Met Office predicts temperatures of up to 32°C (90°F) this week.
Summer sunshine and soaring temperatures can pose huge risks for our pets, wildlife and farm animals, and amid predictions from forecasters of these high temperatures many pet owners and animal lovers may be concerned about keeping animals safe during the heatwave.
RSPCA pet expert Dr Sam Gaines said: “We’re finally getting a spell of hot weather here in England and Wales which is great, but for our pets, it can be a different story.
“It’s important we do everything we can to keep them cool and comfortable while the heat is here, and we’re urging animal lovers to share our best tips to help.
“It’s also a really helpful idea to support local wildlife too, by popping out some bowls of water to help birds, foxes and other wildlife.”
Top tips for pet owners in hot weather
Have a go at making some frozen dog treats to keep your pooch cool
Watch the RSPCA’s video on how to keep cats cool in hot weather
Don’t let your pet get sunburnt – use pet-safe sun cream.
Ensure animals have constant access to shade and fresh drinking water at all times. For animals that are kept outside, remember that as the sun moves during the day so too does the shade. Somewhere that was shaded in the morning could be in full sun by the afternoon.
Keep guinea pigs cool and hydrated by making them a fresh vegetable treat
Check small animals, poultry and other pets twice a day for flystrike.
Keep fish tanks out of direct sunlight.
Keep pesticides out of reach of animals.
For horses stabled during the day out of the heat, try making them our horse and pony boredom buster treat
Wrap an ice pack or frozen water bottle in a tea towel, or use damp towels for your pet to lie on.
Encourage pet chickens to stay in shaded areas by hanging up a homemade vegetable garland for chickens
Use cold treats from the fridge for added moisture or make an ice lolly for your dog from pet-friendly ingredients.
Freeze your dog’s water bowl or kong, or add ice cubes to your pet’s bowl.
Fill a paddling pool or spray a hose for your dog to play in – but always supervise them around water.
Make sure that pet snake enclosures are kept secure – and locked if necessary – when unattended, as snakes become more active during hot weather and can be excellent escape artists and will take the opportunity of a gap in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to make a break for it.
It’s not just pet owners who can do their bit to help. Here are some tips on what everyone can do this summer to help wildlife:
Leave a bowl of fresh drinking water in your garden or community green spaces for birds and other wildlife.
Be wildlife-friendly outside. Take care when using a lawn-mower or strimmer – both can be deadly to animals. Hedgehogs in long grass may curl up if they feel threatened and toads tend to squat down rather than run away. Keep pesticides out of reach of animals or switch to non-toxic deterrents.
Search bonfires before burning garden rubbish. Lizards, grass snakes, hedgehogs and toads often seek sanctuary in heaps of garden refuse.
Top up the water levels of ponds and make sure pond fish have access to shaded areas created by aquatic plants.
Snakes are most active during June and July; don’t be alarmed if you see one. Most are just passing through and tend to shy away from humans. Help garden wildlife by supplying fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing.
Meanwhile, the RSPCA has launched its Summer Cruelty Appeal – ‘No Animal Deserves Cruelty’ – to raise awareness of the issues the charity faces during the summer months – which is its busiest time of the year. The RSPCA receives a report of animal cruelty every five minutes in the summer.
To donate to the ‘No Animal Deserves Cruelty’ appeal, visit www.rspca.org.uk/appeal.
