How to protect cats, dogs and other pets during the hot season?

Even though France has experienced not one, not two, but four heatwaves this summer and high temperatures are still expected this week, we must not forget that our pets are also suffering the consequences. The law of nature obliges, if men are responsible for global warming, animals, genetically less equipped to deal with intense heat, generally suffer even more.

In fact, humans have a body temperature regulation system: sweat. By evaporating through the pores of the skin, sweat allows the evacuation of heat and therefore lowers our body temperature. A natural mechanism that our dear four-legged friends do not have. So what about them and what advice do specialists give to provide the best relief? Let’s make the point.

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How do dogs and cats regulate temperature?

With only a few sweat glands between their paw pads, dogs and cats aren’t able to cool off sufficiently in the intense heat. They regulate their body temperature through breathing, but this costs them a lot of energy and cardiac effort. By functioning as a natural barrier, both against cold and heat, the animal’s hair promotes thermoregulation. Contrary to a (false) widespread idea, it is therefore not necessary to cut your hair to help it withstand the summer season.

The two furry beasts, however, aren’t quite equal in their ability to withstand heat. From its African ancestors living in desert regions, cats have inherited genes and behaviors that make them less sensitive to high temperatures than dogs. In the event of a heat wave, our feline friends will instinctively take refuge in the coolest place they can find. Their urinary system also favors better retention of ingested water than that of dogs. But for both, some advice can really allow the owners to promote a certain thermal comfort.

What actions to help dogs resist the heat?

“The most important thing is to refresh them during the day by always providing them with a bowl of fresh water.”explains Laura Daydie, project manager at the 30 Million Friends Foundation. ”Fresh and not cold or frozen” he specifies, at the risk of causing them digestive upset or thermal shock. When questioned by Geo, the specialist makes the following recommendations:

Adapt walking hours to the coolest hours of the day (morning and evening)
During walks, favor shady corners and earthy floors rather than bitumen pavements (watch out for padding!)
Regularly renew the bowl with fresh water
In the event of a long absence, leave several water points in the house
Arrange your home to provide access to a cool place, such as a tiled room
Refresh them with a damp towel or washcloth

If the dog is elderly, ill or suffers from some difficulty that makes it even more sensitive to exposure to the sun and heat, a cooling mat can possibly be used, or simply moisten a bath mat so that it settles on it.

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How to give our cats relief during a heat wave?

Avoid letting them out during the hottest hours of the day
Regularly renew the bowl with fresh water
In the event of a long absence, leave several water points in the house
Organize the house to provide access to a cool place
Refresh them with a damp towel or washcloth

If your house is particularly small, or poorly insulated, and it is very hot there, you can also moisten a towel which you will then place on the drying rack to create a small cool shelter, your cat will certainly take refuge there. Finally, for cats and dogs who generally feed on dry and dehydrated croquettes, prefer puree or remember to moisten the croquettes well with water, if you do not add water-rich vegetables such as cucumber pieces.

What symptoms should alert us?

Unlike cats, dogs pant, but they pant very quickly.”it’s heatstroke“, warns the project manager of 30 Millions d’Amis. We must therefore not hesitate to go to the vet to ensure the good health of the animal.

Among other signs that your pet is in bad shape, the mucous membranes, lips and gums can be an indicator. If they blush, it means that your protégé suffers from heatstroke and you need to refresh him as soon as possible and monitor his condition. Be careful, if his lips turn blue or white, you urgently need to go to the vet. You can then gradually cool the pet with a damp towel and wrap it up for the road.

Hamster, snake, mouse, what to do about NAC?

When we talk about “pets”, we often instinctively think of cats and dogs, yet they are not our only companions. Indeed, even the “NAC” or “New Pets” are increasingly part of our homes. Rodents, amphibians or other insects usually live in nurseries or cages.

So, the main advice to apply is to keep the habitats away from the windows and of course to close the shutters. If needed, a damp towel can be placed around the cage to provide additional relief.

What to do if you find an animal locked in the car?

“At 30 Millions d’Amis we have many reports of animals locked up in carsadds Laura Daydie. For this I remind you that under no circumstances should you leave an animal in the car, even if you are parked in the shade and with the windows open.And for good reason, the temperature inside can reach 50 degrees in minutes and cause your pet to die.

Also, if you come across a dog stuck or forgotten in a car, you must contact the police immediately, or if they don’t get there fast enough, know that you can surround yourself with witnesses, take photos if necessary, and break the glass legally to rescue the animal. .

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