Blue Cross kids - Your pets in the summertime

	Dooby
	Charlie
	Holly
	Rosie
	The Blue Cross

Summertime and your pet

At last the sun is out and the evenings are lighter. So let’s look at how we can make sure our pets have a great summer too.

dog-outside

Dogs
• Don’t over exercise your dog in hot weather. If he starts to pant get him to stop and rest.
• Make sure he always has plenty of clean water to drink.
• You must groom him every day to remove the loose hair. If your dog has thick or long hair, you may want to visit the dog groomer to have the fur trimmed so he doesn’t get so hot.
• Never leave a dog in a hot car even with the windows open. It can kill him.

Cats
• Fleas breed faster in warm weather and so can be more of a problem for both cats and dogs. Ask your vet to recommend a flea treatment. White cats can get sunburnt on the tips of their ears, which can make them very sore. It’s best to keep your pet indoors during the hours of maximum sunlight intensity (between 10am and 4pm). Alternatively, ask your vet about using sunblock for protection.

foal-outside

Horses
• In the summer months, horses and ponies can get very hot, so keep them as cool as possible.
• Make sure your pony has plenty of clean, fresh water.
• Have a shady area in the field, this can be a man-made shelter or natural shade provided by trees.
• A long mane and tail will help swipe away flies. If your pony has a short mane and forelock then you could use a fly fringe to keep insects off their eyes. You may see your pony standing with its friends swishing their tails to keep the flies away.
• Use a good fly repellent; this will keep the flies away from those areas your pony can’t reach.
• If you need to you could get a fly rug which will keep your pony from rubbing and getting annoyed by flies.
• Your pony may gain weight due to there being more grass at this time of year. You should monitor your pony’s weight all year round, not just in the summer. If your pony is putting on weight restrict the amount of grass it has and cut out any hard feed.
• Be careful your pony doesn’t get sunburn, especially on white and pink areas of the skin, like the muzzle. If in doubt apply a suitable sunblock.

Rabbit-with-food

Small pets
• Make sure your pets’ cage isn’t in the hot sunshine. If your pets are in a run on the grass make sure that you give them some shade.
• If you are putting your pets outside on the lawn to eat the grass make sure they are safe from predators such as cats and foxes, and that they have a box or tunnel to hide in if they are feeling scared.
• Make sure your rabbit is vaccinated each year as it may pick up a disease such as myxomatosis.
• Check that water bottles have fresh, cool water for them to drink.
• Clean out the dirty area in their cage each day and throw away uneaten fresh food to keep the flies away.
• Check your pets over each evening, especially around their bottoms. In warm weather fly eggs hatch quickly and the maggots can start eating the flesh of your rabbit or guinea pig. This happens very quickly and can kill them. Consult your vet if you are at all worried about your pet, and also consider using a fly repellent.

Goldfish

Fish
• Place your aquarium away from sunny windows, as the water will warm up which will make your fish unhappy.
• The water and the glass will also go green in sunny weather as the algae grow more quickly. Make sure you clean the tank each week.
• Keep an eye on the water level in your garden pond. The water will evaporate in hot weather and may need topping up. Small ponds may need extra shade to prevent the water getting too hot for the fish.
• If you have a fountain in your pond let it run for a while each day to help to get oxygen into the water. Warmer water does not carry as much dissolved oxygen as cooler water.

Going away?
• If you are going on a journey with your animal, drive at the coolest part of the day.
• Make sure that your pet is microchipped, and that all your details are up to date, in case your pet gets lost.
• If you need to leave your pet at a boarding kennels then visit it first to make sure it is a nice place for them to stay. Then book a place early.
• If your friend or neighbour is going to look after your pets while you are on holiday, make sure you leave them plenty of food to give to your pet and write down exactly how to look after them. Give them your mobile phone number and your veterinary surgery number in case of a problem.

Whatever animal you look after, make sure that it is kept clean, and has shade and fresh water in the hot weather.