As the mercury rises across Victoria and Summer break begins, many of us are turning our mind to lazy days at the beach and other ways to keep ourselves cool and comfortable.
Your furry friends are no different! That’s why this month the Pets Country Club team are sharing handy tips to keep your pets cool in Summer, so you can all enjoy this festive season with peace of mind. Just remember: If you feel hot and bothered, so do they. ☀️🕶️
1. Access to fresh drinking water is key
Our first and most obvious tip? Make sure your cat or dog has easy access to plenty of fresh drinking water for those hot summer days. This should be your first priority whether your furry friend is staying outdoors or hibernating in the comfort of your home. Bonus tip: Leave two bowls of water in case they accidentally knock one over.
2. Ensure ample shade
Another vital tip for keeping your pets cool is to ensure they have ample shade to hide from the sun’s harsh rays. This is especially important if your pet is staying outdoors on a hot day. Position their bed/mat under natural shade such as a tree or pergola if possible. Otherwise please invest in a beach umbrella, sunshade or pop-up canopy. They’ll thank you in spades! ⛱️
3. Time exercise for morning & evening
Typically between 10 AM - 3 PM is the hottest time of day with the UV index peaking around midday. Keeping this in mind, time your dog walks to earlier in the morning or evening. Cats on the other hand will typically nap during the middle of a hot day and emerge for playtime in the evening. Bonus tip: If the pavement is too hot for your hands, it’s too hot for their paws.
4. Consider a cooling mat
After a really neat Christmas treat for your VIP? We recommend investing in a cooling mat! A great little invention, cooling mats contain a special gel that absorbs your cat or dogs' body heat. These can be purchased from any good pet retailer, including the RSPCA, Petbarn, Petstock and even Bunnings. Bonus tip: A good alternative is to leave wet towels around for your pet to sit on when they’d like to cool down. 😊
5. Watch out for heatstroke
Our final tip: please keep an eagle for any signs of heatstroke. More than just an uncomfortable experience for your pet, heatstroke can kill in as little as 6 minutes. Never leave them in a car unattended (which can be much hotter than the air outside), and if they display any of the symptoms below – move them to a cool, well-ventilated spot immediately, wet their coat with cool water and take them to the nearest vet:
Lethargy
Excessive panting
Vomiting or diarrhoea
Purple gums and/or red skin
Seeking a cool retreat for your Very Important Pet (VIP)? Our Cat and Dog Suites could be the perfect choice. Call our friendly team at the Pets Country Club on (03) 5282 1286 to book their stay!